ILMINSTER: Sweet day for Ilminster project

The project, run by Jane Morgan, which helps young adults with learning disabilities to gain confidence and basic skills in the workplace, has come on leaps and bounds since its inception over a year ago.

The sweet shop and café has been running at the front of the building while they have been working hard to renovate the rest of the property. There is a new kitchen beyond the large hall which was the cinema, and upstairs an internet technology suite thanks to a donation from Morgan Computers.

The open day enabled the young people to greet the public and sell their wares such as hand-made soaps, and jars of pickles and sweets. There were also displays by the partners who have had the trainees working with them, such as the sports club, hairdressers and the library.The group have a Facebook page and are currently working on their own website.

Phil Dyer was upstairs with a film he had produced about healthy eating, to show what can be done with a little support. He was representing Jump Cuts, a training and production partnership between Biggerhouse Film and Somerset Film in association with Somerset County Council and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. They make high quality digital media co-produced by people with learning disabilities reaching audiences across the UK and beyond.  Phil said having learning disabilities did not stop him doing what he wanted; he  had been bored and frustrated by the limits of the county council run Huntspill Project  which was designed to assist LD adults into work. He decided to take more control of his life and with the help of his support assistant Alex Rowland, he got the job he wanted and now teaches others like himself to break the mould. He is currently filming another story, about relationships using his own experience with his fiancée.

Matt Follain held a martial arts demonstration with a few of the students and the whole Sweet Surprise open day was a real boost for all of them, giving them a chance to dispel some of the images that the public may have had and proving that they are very capable, given the chance to shine.

PICTURE: WELCOME TO OUR WORLD - Trainees, staff and supporters at the Sweet Surprise open day

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