YOUNG adults with severe learning disabilities from Poplar College, Chippenham, took part in an innovative Find My Style fashion workshop.

Run by charity Flamingo Foundation and sponsored by Emery Gate Shopping Centre, the group of 16 young people had the chance to work alongside fashion stylist Samantha Williams to explore their own sense of style and build body confidence on Thursday.

They also enjoyed the advice of professional seamstress Lisa Collins who gave ideas on how to adapt clothing to suit their needs.

The event represented the focal point of a term’s work for the students as they planned their outfits for this year’s summer ball.

With the help of Emery Gate’s Shopping Centre fashion retailer Bonmarche, stylist Samantha showcased some of the key styles for summer 2015 and during the session the students created style boards to express their fashion tastes and began to plan the all-important outfit for the summer ball.

At the end, there was the chance to try out some of the latest looks and take part in a fashion photo-shoot.

Samantha, whose daughter Florence has a rare chromosome disorder, said: “Image and confidence in what we wear can make a huge difference, but young adults with disabilities can feel removed from the fashion scene and find it difficult to find on-trend clothes that suit their style and their bodies.

"Hopefully the students will take away some great ideas for the summer ball.

“Looking good is a big part of feeling good; it’s important for all us, and perhaps even more important for those of us with disabilities.

“This project is a fantastic way to open up the world of fashion and demonstrate that everyone can find or adapt clothes to show off their individuality and tastes.”

Representing Emery Gate Shopping Centre, Rose Makepeace from Bonmarche came along to help.

She said: "We are so pleased to be working in partnership with Flamingo Foundation and Emery Gate Shopping Centre and it was a pleasure to come and meet the students at Poplar College. We hope today gave them inspiration and confidence, and they have a fantastic end of year summer ball as a result.”

Sue Flavin, deputy head of Poplar College, said: “The students had a wonderful morning browsing through fashion magazines and looking at the clothing items. There was a real sense of excitement and the level of student engagement and participation was extraordinary.

"We are delighted with the style boards the students made, and now we’re all buzzing to get to the shops to buy outfits for our summer ball.”

Flamingo Foundation is keen to hear from any schools or groups that would be interested in a Find My Style workshop for their young adults. For more information, visit www.flamingofoundation.org/findmystyle