A BRADFORD community interest company which supports children with learning disabilities and autism was joined by both the Mayor of West Yorkshire and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford for a celebration yesterday.

Dream Big Aim High (DBAH) - a not-for-profit organisation founded by Toller ward councillor Fozia Shaheen and Nasar Hussain – welcomed West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Councillor Bev Mullaney to an event for its Our Choice, Our Voice project.

The 12-week pilot project aims to support young people with additional needs in the Girlington area.

Ms Brabin and Cllr Mullaney both thanked the project for its hard work, while the children involved took “great delight” in meeting and taking photos with them, said Cllr Shaheen.

“The Mayor of West Yorkshire and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford expressed their happiness at the project, which supports an otherwise under-served community”, she added.

“Presenting certificates to the children was an opportunity for them both to get a first-hand account of the challenges relating to autism, as well as the benefits of a project such as Our Choice, Our Voice.

“In return for presenting the certificates, two of the children presented flowers to both mayors.

“I know too well the challenges faced by parents in being able to access inclusive services for children with autism.

“As a manager of a learning disabilities service, I see how a lack of information and support can have a detrimental impact on the mental wellbeing of parents when they struggle to find services where they feel they can be themselves without being judged.”

Parents in attendance at the event expressed similar sentiments, with one mother of a child with autism saying: “This project has been a godsend. My son is so much happier being here, just to see him smile and to be free amongst similar children makes my heart smile.

“We owe Fozia so much for these sessions.”

The event was also supported by a host of other community organisations.

“It was attended by some of DBAH’s partners and special guests, who showed support to the parents and the children who have attended the 12 weekly sessions”, Cllr Shaheen said.

“These included Mohammed Rauf MBE; Director of Meri Yaadain, Samina Shah; Community Manager at McDonald's, PC Jas Ryatt; of West Yorkshire Police, Kirsty Gavillet; Chair at Bradford Park Avenue Ladies Cricket (BPAL) and Shivanie Patel; Secretary at BPAL.

“Together, they took the opportunity to see what the project has managed to deliver with limited resources here in the heart of Girlington.

“A special thank you was also given to Imran Hafeez from the National Literacy Trust for donating books for the children, and to Liz Firth and her colleagues at Together 4 Health, for the funding to deliver the sessions.”

Samina Shah, Community Manager at McDonald’s, also praised the project.

She said: “We’re really pleased to have partnered with others to support Fozia and her team at DBAH to deliver a fantastic programme of activities for around 28 children with learning disabilities or autism.

“Learning disabilities can be a taboo for many families in minority communities, but this just demonstrates that we can all work together to support and empower families in need”