The mother of a talented photographer with autism has said she will push for a youth zone to replace the now empty Debenhams store.

Vanessa Shults, whose 24-year-old son Jordan has had work exhibited in Firstsite, is determined to open more doors for young people who have learning disabilities.

Following the announcement from Colchester Council that £300,000 will be invested into youth services throughout the town, Mrs Shults, of Longridge, said she would do everything she could to ensure a portion of the funding went towards helping people with learning difficulties.

Gazette: The retail space which used to be Debenhams is a prime spot for redevelopmentThe retail space which used to be Debenhams is a prime spot for redevelopment

Mrs Shults, 59, believes the former Debenhams in Head Street is an ideal location for a youth zone. 

She feels current level of support for people with learning difficulties fall short of what was required.

“There are parents and carers who can’t help their disabled children – a lot of people are really talented, but they just don’t have the support,” she said. 

“I’ve got the motivation and I’ve got the enthusiasm, but this really isn’t about me – I don’t need the youth zone, but the town certainly does.

“If we can get the right people behind it, someone who is philanthropic then this could work.”

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Mrs Shults cited the HideOut Youth Zone in east Manchester as the perfect example of a facility funded by a businessman and run by a charity in order to help young people as well as adults with special needs.

“We want to follow the example of HideOut in Manchester – people really need somewhere positive to be,” she said.

Mrs Shults added her son Jordan is determined to change the perception of people with autism after he was a finalist at the Colchester Youth Awards in 2019, and had his work featured at an autism awareness event the same year.

Gazette: Jordan and Vanessa Shults are keen to offer young people more opportunities in ColchesterJordan and Vanessa Shults are keen to offer young people more opportunities in Colchester

Se added: “Colchester doesn’t have enough to offer people like Jordan, but I just can’t help but think positively about this kind of thing.

“I’ve got all the time in the world [for pushing this] because I don’t sleep and I’m probably autistic myself – but we just need someone high profile to support it.”