It's lunchtime at the day centre for young people with severe and complex disabilities and the place is a hive of activity. With its adaptable low-level work surfaces and touch pad controls, the kitchen is just one of the many ways in which independence, involvement and self-help are encouraged and nurtured.

For Jill Mitchell, co-founder of the trust, it's a crucial aspect of the centre's work. "The idea here is to encourage independence, something we believe is very important," she says.

The day centre at King Cross was opened in 2006 to fill a huge gap in the care of young disabled adults and to meet their complex needs. It was founded by a group of parents and carers who found that once their own children reached the age of 19 and passed out of full-time education, there was very little provision for them to carry on learning and develop new skills.

For Grahame and Vivien Nasey, of Rastrick, whose 21-year-old daughter Emma attends the centre once a week, the Next Step Trust has been a vital source of support.

"It gives Emma a measure of normality and enables her to mix with other young people," said Grahame. "She enjoyed her time at Highbury School and later at Ravenscliffe and then we had the uncertainty of what would happen once she left school.

"There is very poor provision for young people like Emma and we are very glad for the care she receives from Next Step. She enjoys the stimulation of the various activities there and from September she'll be going four times a week."

Emma suffers from a rare genetic abnormality which has severely hampered her development and mobility. She is unable to speak or walk unaided and she has epilepsy.

Grahame said: "It took us two or three years to get a diagnosis for Emma and it has been difficult. But she has really benefited from the physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and other activities such as the sensory room. Going to Next Step gives her a level of independence and access to facilities that otherwise would be denied her. She is treated as a young adult."

Next Step was born when a small group of parents, many of them with links to Ravenscliffe School, got together with the initial aim of setting up a college where their children could continue their education. When that plan foundered at the last hurdle, the group looked instead at opening a day centre and when Calderdale Community Foundation suggested sharing its King Cross premises, the dream rapidly became a reality.

The centre was up and running by October 2006 and, as word spread about the excellence of the work being carried out there, help flooded in from Calderdale businesses, individuals and supporters.

Now the Next Steppers have access to a day centre with experienced and professional carers and the latest technology. There is a sensory room with glitter balls, projectors, fibre optic curtains and water bed, a computer room and IT suite with specially-adapted controls and switches.

As well as being involved in cooking and food preparation, Next Steppers are encouraged to turn their hand to shopping, gardening, arts and crafts.

Now under development is the sensory garden, a joint project with the Mayfield Trust and Ravenscliffe High School, which will provide varied learning and work opportunities as well as a relaxing place to enjoy the sunshine. When completed all areas will be accessible by wheelchair with raised flower and vegetable beds, a water feature and pagoda.

"People with complex needs deserve the same opportunities and choices in life as other people and because of that the Next Step Trust works with parents, carers and professionals as well as other support organisations to make sure this happens," said Jill Mitchell.