A STOURBRIDGE teenager has chosen to ‘go it alone’ and start her own sports therapy business after finding a lack of job opportunities for young people.

Lydia Jordan, 19, has recently qualified with a VTCT Level 3 qualification in sports massage, but felt disillusioned with the current job climate.

“I came to the conclusion that there were no jobs for people aged 18 to 25,” she said. “I have a recognised sports massage qualification and I didn’t want to let it go to waste, so I decided to just go into it on my own.

“I was told Pump Gym in the Ryemarket had a room available, so I contacted them to ask them if I could rent it for my sports therapy business.

“It’s a very good room and has all the things I need to run a successful business from.”

However Lydia, a former Ridgewood High School pupil, has found creating her Stourbridge Sport Therapy business from scratch to be a difficult task.

She said: “I have been open for a couple of weeks now and unfortunately business has been really slow. I have only had a few clients.

“But I have started to advertise. I’ve arranged for flyers and posters to be printed and I have set up a website and a facebook page, so hopefully business will begin to pick up when more people know about it.

“At the moment it’s just about getting people to come in, see what I do and spread the word.”

Lydia’s mother Rebecca said the early business set-backs will not deter Lydia from achieving her dream.

Rebecca said: “Lydia was born premature at 25-weeks along with her twin sister Amelia, who sadly passed aged only 16-weeks-old.

“Lydia has overcome many obstacles both physically and educationally, but has worked hard to achieve her dreams.”

To help increase business, Lydia has halved her massage prices and is offering taster sessions and free pre-treatment assessment to all new clients.

For more information, or to book a session, visit www.stourbridgesporttherapy.co.uk, email lydia@stourbridgesporttherapy.co.uk, or call 07487 558970.