A NEW tea room in Towyn is providing vital training for young people with learning difficulties.

Creatasmile Cymru, a charity for children with autism and additional requirements, has continued to expand this year with the opening of Benjamin’s Tea Rooms on its site at the Old School on Towyn Road.

Named after founders Edward - former mayor of Towyn and Kinmel Bay - and Sharon Lee Bateman's son Benjamin 14, the tea rooms offer young people with additional requirements the chance to train for qualifications in catering and hospitality as an AGORED Cymru higher education centre.

Mrs Bateman said: “Benjamin's is the new training facility for young people with autism and disabilities and will offer AGORED qualifications as well as being a welcoming and new tea room for Towyn - it’s a great achievement for the community.”

Since it began in 2009 – founded after Benjamin was diagnosed with autism aged four - the charity has given opportunities and support to more than a 1,000 families in North Wales, expanding into Denbighshire in February this year with monthly sessions at Prestatyn Leisure Centre.

At the Old School building, the charity has developed a series of facilities and projects over the years, using the venue as a workplace and a community hub to create awareness and prevent social isolation.

In the charity’s latest venture, people aged between 13 and 26 with autism and additional requirements - and their siblings - can gain hands-on experience and build their confidence while working in the community towards their higher education.

The tea rooms, which employs five members of staff, project has been launched with the funds from Global Radio’s Make Some Noise campaign in addition to longstanding support from the Steve Morgan Foundation and Rhyl Flats Windfarm.

The grand opening of Benjamin’s Tea Rooms on Friday, August 10 saw a host of dignitaries meet Mrs Bateman and her family, including Ben Sheppard and Alistair James from Capital Radio and Lois Caerwy of Heart FM.

Joining the radio hosts were Jane Harris of the Steve Morgan Foundation, MP for Clwyd West David Jones, AM for North Wales Mark Isherwood and Mayor of Towyn and Kinmel Bay cllr Luke Knightley.

Ms Harris, said “Steve Morgan and the trustees are delighted that we are continuing our support for Creatasmile, and I was privileged to attend the official opening and officially wish them all the very best for another successful venture.”

Sharon added: “We had some lovely people here, including Ben Sheppard and Alistair James from Capital Radio who helped us get the project off the ground, and Heart radio too.

“And of course it was great to see Jane as well - she is a godsend for us, she has been wonderful with her help and support, and we continue to appreciate everything the Steve Morgan Foundation has done for us.

“There were also many different organisations we have worked with along the route of helping people with autism and their families – it was an amazing day.”

The Tea Rooms are open five days a week - with the exception of Tuesday and Wednesday - from 9.30am until 4.30pm.