A MOTHER and founder of a charity which specialises in helping children with learning difficulties has now expanded a charity's services to support adults.
Jean Wilson started New Hope 13 years ago in order to support children with learning difficulties between the ages of six and 18.
She has now launched New Horizons with the team hoping to support adults with learning difficulties.
Ms Wilson said: "New Horizons is for adults who have learning difficulties.
"We also support the families and carers because our service gives them a respite too."
Dozens of families with young children across Worcester rely on New Hope Ronkswood on Lichfield Avenue but now staff will work with adults above the age of 19.
Ms Wilson said: "They may go on to college, but there is a distinct lack of provision in Worcester city for adults with learning difficulties and providing them with facilities to free up their day."
Ms Wilson's motivation to start New Hope and New Horizons was her daughter Emily.
"My daughter Emily has learning difficulties and I was looking for places to go to support and I couldn't find anything.
"And I knew I couldn't have been the only one, so I decided to start New Hope.
"We have grown quite quickly in a short space of time which shows it is a needed service.
"There are a lot of projects out there that offer what we do, but we try to offer something bespoke and tailor to individual needs.
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"So far we have five clients and, in the future, we could support about 20 to 30 adults but it's hard to say right now.
"New Hope accepts children from the age of 6 to 18 but at the age of 19, some of them are thinking about what they should do with their lives.
"Some of them go to college, but it's about supporting the ones who don't and giving them bespoke support.
"We can provide them with learning skills or a day out - it really depends on what they want to do with their day.
"New Horizons starts at 19 but there is no upper age limit."
Ms Wilson received an MBE for service to children in 2016.
The team from New Hope in Ronkswood celebrated the launch of New Horizon with a launch party on Friday which was attended by the Mayor of Worcester cllr Adrian Gregson.
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