BBC Make a Difference award nomination 'humbling'

A woman who co-founded a bakery business to support children with educational disabilities and help them into work said they were "absolutely bowled over" to be nominated for the BBC Make a Difference (MAD) Awards last year.

Jane Kippax, a director at Step and Stone, based in the Knowle area of Bristol, said she met co-founder Jane Chong through their children with Downs Syndrome.

Developing their bakery, which also supports adults into work and helps employers, initially felt like a "crazy idea" at the beginning, Kippax said.

Applications for this year's BBC MAD awards are open until 17.00 GMT on 31 March.

Through Step and Stone, the pair work with about 15 people with learning disabilities each day, supporting about 100 people in total.

"Sadly only five per cent of people with learning disabilities have a paid job and being mums of someone who has got a learning disability we felt that wasn't quite right," she said.

They give them the training and general skills they may need in employment, like turning up to work on time and listening to instruction, Kippax added.

"But more than that, we actually develop their confidence and give them part of the social network because obviously being lonely is not good for anybody," she said.

The scheme also offers support to employers in understanding how to successfully employ someone with a learning disability.

Chong said somebody they supported into work is now working two shifts a week at an American diner.

"We've had reports from her manager how thrilled they are, and how she's uplifted everybody's spirits and increased productivity," she added.

"It's a real win-win," Kippax said. "The employers are changing lives and they love it too, as long as they can take that tiny leap of faith."

Kippax said due to their workload, the two women rarely get a chance to "look up" so to know someone had taken the time to nominate them for the BBC Make a Difference Award "meant everything".

"It's really a way to show people that they're appreciated and valued for the things that they're doing well in their community. It's amazing," she added.

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