Chris Jordan receives a British Empire Medal (BEM)

L:R Lord-Lieutenant, Chris Jordan BEM, The Mayor of Worcester Councillor Adrian Gregson.

We'd like to say a huge congratulations to Chris Jordan, Founder of The Emily Jordan Foundation, who has been honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his excellence in services to people with learning disabilities.

Chris has long advocated for people with learning disabilities to lead fulfilled lives. He set up LAFS in 2002 for individuals to have a social environment to return to after leaving school and create friendship groups locally. LAFS encourages young adults to learn, achieve, have fun and to socialise.

After the success of LAFS, Chris established Spokes CIC in 2006, which focused on provided skills and work- based tasks for people with learning disabilities, who could not secure employment after education. It initially ran from a small unit in Kidderminster and proved popular in supporting people with moderate learning disabilities. The project prospered and was recognised as an alternative to day services by Social Services, resulting in attendees paying to come through their personal budget payments.

In 2008 Chris and Sarah Jordan established The Emily Jordan Foundation, in memory of their daughter Emily who tragically died in New Zealand. Emily had helped Chris to set up LAFS, a group that still meets regularly in Kidderminster, and Spokes CIC whilst she was studying at university.

The aims of the Foundation would expand on those already established at Spokes CIC and has evolved into include additional projects; Twigs, Wood Works, Pots, Go Green and Ground Maintenance.

One of the key areas that the Foundation is developing today is obtaining contracts from local businesses, and the income received is used to pay people with learning disabilities to meet the terms of the contract. Our first area of focus is ground maintenance; this has been very successful with contracts covering the industrial estate where the unit is and Severn Trent at the local reservoir.

The Foundation expanded in 2021, forming a sister-charity, The Emily Jordan Foundation based in Dudley, having partnered with Dudley Council and Heritage Lottery. This is bringing new work-based projects to the Black Country, to benefit people with learning disabilities in the same way as has been done in Worcestershire.

Congratulations Chris. You've made a huge difference to the lives of people with disabilities.