Supported Lodgings and Fostering Christmas Afternoon Tea, Basingstoke
3 December 2026
“You are strong, brave and deserve good things. A happy and blessed Christmas to you!”
“Remember you are not alone. Wishing you well for the future.”
“Keep strong. Look into yourself and see strength. You are a wonderful human and you will prevail.”
“Hi, we don’t know each other, but I’ll be thinking of you at Christmas and through the year ahead.”
“You are strong, brave and deserve good things. A happy and blessed Christmas to you!”
“Remember you are not alone. Wishing you well for the future.”
“Keep strong. Look into yourself and see strength. You are a wonderful human and you will prevail.”
“Hi, we don’t know each other, but I’ll be thinking of you at Christmas and through the year ahead.”
Messages from our supporters
For many of us, Christmas is about family and a sense of belonging. Jess has always loved Christmas, but for years it came with a weight no child should have to bear.
"There was so much worry and tension and feeling on edge," she remembers.
When Jess was 16 and starting college, home wasn't a safe place to be. She faced abuse and neglect. A friend's family began inviting her round for dinner and sleepovers. Before long, social workers were involved, and that's when Jess first heard of Step by Step.
Her friend's family trained to become Step by Step hosts, and Jess moved in for good. Her support worker stayed with her every step of the way, supporting her where most 16 year olds would rely on a parent.
The first time her hosts cooked their special chicken pie for dinner, Jess felt like crying. Something that many of us take for granted, meant the world to her. "I didn't have to fight. I didn't have to beg. I just got it."
Christmas feels different now. "You're surrounded by people who want to be with each other. I don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing… like you do when you’re in an abusive environment.”
Jess is now at university. She's studying to be a teacher as she wants to be there for other young people. She's also working two jobs and learning to drive.
And at Christmas? "I'm basically like Mrs Claus. I love it!"
Every young person deserves a Christmas like Jess's: safe, without fear, and with people who are glad they're there. Step by Step provides safe homes and the tailored support that helps young people build the lives they want. Your gift makes that possible.
As Jess puts it, "The path of my life has completely changed. It’s nice feeling wanted."
“The thing I've realised about Christmas, is when you go to a healthy family environment, you're surrounded by people who want to be with each other... I don't need to worry about doing anything wrong."
Step by Step works with young people across the South of England, providing safe places to live, support with mental health, and the chance for young people to realise their potential.
Click the boxes to find out about our services.
Stable places to call home, along with tailored support and life skills training.
Free and confidential counselling and wellbeing sessions for children and young people.
One-to-one support with housing, getting into work or education, sexual health, and much more.
Your support can help young people find safe places to call home, with people who are there for them. This Christmas and beyond.
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