Step by Step comes of age

Bridget Crowther, founder of Step by Step, cuts our 18th birthday cake.

(Click image for larger version)

Step by Step, the Aldershot-based charity for homeless young people, celebrated its 18th birthday on December 2nd with a party at Emmaus House in Arthur Road, Aldershot, where the charity first opened its doors in 1992. The severe weather had threatened the event with postponement, but staff, clients and guests battled through the snow to help mark this important milestone in the life of the charity.

Bridget Crowther, the founder of Emmaus Projects (as Step by Step was known originally), was delighted to return and - over cakes and party food - she shared with clients and staff some memories of the early days and the difficulties she had encountered. The charity was started when, in 1989, Bridget found a young person sleeping in her local church yard and discovered that he had nowhere to stay. On further investigation she found that there was little provision at that time for young people who had left home and she decided to do something about it. With support from local churches and others, Emmaus House was purchased and converted into basic but comfortable and safe accommodation for homeless young people.

From that small beginning the charity has grown steadily. It now has fourteen services, providing accommodation, support, training and advice, occupying five different locations around Aldershot town centre. Last year it helped over 500 young people who were homeless or threatened with homelessness. Clients at the party, some of whom hadn't been born when the charity started, expressed their gratitude to Bridget for her vision and tenacity in overcoming the difficulties she had described. They testified to the positive impact that Step by Step was having on their lives.

It is appropriate that, as the charity comes of age, it will soon be leaving its old home and moving a short distance into a purpose-designed building which is being erected in Crimea Road. This will house accommodation, training, support and administrative facilities and enable the charity to provide an even higher level of service to its young clients.

Clients celebrate Step by Step's 18th Birthday at Emmaus House

(Click image for larger version)

Contrary to popular opinion, most homeless young people are very reluctant to leave home, and find themselves on the streets through little or no fault of their own. They are often driven out by family circumstances which make remaining at home intolerable. This sense of rejection and rootlessness often leads to depression and a lack of self-esteem and in some cases leads to a downward spiral into petty crime, antisocial behaviour and substance misuse. As well as providing accommodation, Step by Step aims to help young people to gain their independence and confidence through appropriate training and support into a job, training or further education opportunity.

If you would like to contribute towards the work by making a donation of money, time or skills, Gill Butler, Community Fundraiser at Step by Step, would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact her on 01252 327317, or email gill.butler@stepbystep.org.uk.

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Step by Step comes of age