A NEW hairdressing business has set up in Kidderminster as part of Worcestershire Micro-enterprise Project, which aims to help people with disabilities learn skills in a fun way.

Called Fundamentals, it has been established by Karen Arrowsmith, who has a disabled daughter and is offering to share her experiences with anyone else in a similar position.

She explained: "Transitioning from childhood to adulthood can be a difficult time, especially if disability is thrown into the mix. With the love and support from Simply Limitless Wellbeing Centre, a grant of £4000 from the West Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs in association with Lloyds Bank, and generous donations of equipment, I have been able to establish an enterprise that will hopefully benefit my daughter and other members of our community with additional needs.

"My business is called Fundamentals and I am using the fundamental principles of hairdressing and business skills to offer day opportunities to people with disabilities for Fun - Care - Learning. It's not about teaching someone to be a hairdresser, it's a 'care salon', I just use the salon environment for meaningful day opportunities where the emphasis is on fun and being part of the community.

"I am very excited and know there is a real need for more projects like mine as disabled people are being given their own budgets and the ability to choose where to buy their care. I would love to hear from anyone who is interested in a free taster session my e mail address is karen.arrowsmith@simply-limitless.org or call 01562 751144 and leave a message.

I am nervously excited about the future for my daughter and look forward to developing this project for our community."

The Worcestershire Micro-enterprise Project is an initiative delivered in partnership between Worcestershire County Council and Community Catalyst to support small local enterprises that provide a range of care and support services.

Cllr Sheila Blagg, the County Council's cabinet member for adult social care, added: "We aim to stimulate the development and growth of micro-enterprises within the health and social care sector - just like Karen's business Fundamentals and we offer support across all of the county. We have been able to offer Karen support with information on policies and procedures and with marketing as well as access to a wide range of funded training through Worcestershire County Council. Micro-enterprises are very small local enterprises that provide a range of care and support services. These could include activities that help people to gain a new skill or make new friends, lead a healthy life or enjoy a leisure activity. They are offered by a wide range of people and organisations in the community, including by people who themselves need some support and by family carers. Micro enterprises bring a choice of high quality, small scale, local services to people wherever they live."