Ambitions4Kirklees

A BUSINESS in Huddersfield is helping young people with learning difficulties into training and employment.

Mirfield-based Ambitions4Kirklees is the brainchild of co-founders Liz Feeny, Bev Sissons and Jon Nissler, who set up the community interest company a year ago after identifying a gap in the market.

Said Bev: “Young people with learning difficulties have very few options after completing full-time education.

“We wanted to create choice and options with support for the young people and their families. We had no support to do this, we only had our own resources and determination. Two of us gave up full-time jobs to follow our dream.”

Ambitions4Kirklees now employs four staff as well as having Liz and Bev as paid directors.

Bev said: “We are 24% over our projected target for weekly contracted attendance and have further projected potential for that to increase to 42%. We have about 12% of all people who access direct payments in Kirklees.

“The increase in attendance will eventually result in Ambitions4Kirklees employing more staff.”

Bev said the company profiled the abilities of young people rather than the disabilities with projects covering areas such as horticulture and photography.

“We crate opportunities where the skills they have developed can be shared with others and they are looked on as people with something to give.

“Some of our young people are in work-based learning placements and are doing really well.

“We have also been creative in our thinking in organising our business.”

The Master Menu

LIFE in student digs provided the inspiration for Leon Doyle’s business, The Master Menu.

The former Huddersfield University student helps takeaway owners boost their businesses by including their menus in a glossy brochure.

And his concept proved so impressive that he was invited to travel to Manchester to pitch his idea to the judges on TV’s Dragon’s Den.

Leon, 23, who graduated from the university’s transport and logistics department, said: “My idea came to light while living in a house full of messy students. Actually, it wasn’t the students who were messy, but the takeaway leaflets and flyers clogging the doorway. That was my inspiration.

“The Master Menu place 10 to 15 takeaway menus into a neat glossy brochure and 10,000 are distributed throughout the locality.

“This model is replicated across every student town. We aim to be sandwiched between Yellow Pages and Thomsons Directories in every home across the UK by 2012.”

Leon, who trialled The Master Menu with takeaway shop owners in Headingley, Leeds, has also embarked on a partnership with one of the biggest online takeaway order companies in the UK – opening The Master Menu up to everyone.

Leon has been helped by Huddersfield University’s Business Mine – a free, on-campus service offering a wide range of advice to students or recent graduates aiming to start their own enterprise.

Harriet Steele

HARRIET Steele is getting ahead in business.

The talented multi-award winning milliner, jeweller, make-up artist and hairdresser is in big demand with brides-to-be, their mothers, bridesmaids and other guests seeking a special look for their big day.

The Holmfirth designer has won City and Guilds awards for her cosmetic make-up and millinery skills while studying at Huddersfield Technical College – now Kirklees College – and gained teaching qualifications in art and design at Huddersfield University.

She has also has taken top honours with organisations including the National Hairdressing Federation, the World Skills Challenge and the Haberdashers Guild.

She said: “After more than 20 years in the fashion and beauty industry, I decided last year to develop my own business, having spent many years thinking about the concept.”

Harriet won a place on a course run through the Creative Industries Development Agency and was successful in gaining a £24,000 bursary via the university’s Business Mine.

A successful marketing strategy means she is now averaging 40,000 “hits” a month on her website and getting invaluable exposure by attending major wedding fairs.

Said Harriet: “Originally in my business plan I estimated receiving 15 to 20 bookings in my first year of trading building up to 70 to 80 in years three and four. I

“In fact, I have reached my three-year target in the first year.

“My business is going from strength to strength. I already have 30 bookings for next year and I am taking bookings for 2011.

“The response to my work has been overwhelming.”

She added: “Within five to eight years I want Harriet Steele to be a name that is recognised nationally for fabulous bridal hair and make-up, great design, quality and uniqueness.”