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home : news & information : news : Step by Step up and running in new home |
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August 2011 |
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Step by Step up and running in new home
Step by Step, the Aldershot-based charity which supports homeless and disadvantaged young people, has completed the move into its purpose-designed £3.8 million building in Crimea Road, achieving a long-term ambition to integrate all its services under one roof. The new four-storey building includes living accommodation for 30 young people and also houses a training room, IT suite, support services, interview rooms and a staff office. The move will enable the charity to improve client outcomes and offer a more holistic service to the 850 plus clients it supports each year. Since opening in 1992, Step by Step has grown substantially and has been operating from six locations around the town centre, none of which were ideal for their purpose. The new building brings significant benefits to the charity's clients, offering single en-suite study-bedrooms which give privacy and a quiet, personal space. Shared kitchen and lounge facilities enable clients to interact and share household chores. The new building has disabled access and fully adapted bedroom and facilities. As well as improving services to clients and having lower running costs, the new building will enable Step by Step to expand its support programmes, including evening activities for young people, which have proved to be a great success.
“The generous support of the local community, local authorities, grant awarding bodies and voluntary organisations, has enabled us to turn our long-term goal of new purpose-designed accommodation into reality,” says Amanda Dubarry, Chief Executive of Step by Step.“The new building is a significant milestone for us, giving us the opportunity to offer young people an environment where they can raise their game and start to move forward, often from a very troubled start in life." “I really like being in the new building,” says Joerdon Jones, a Step 1 client, “It is better than Emmaus House (the old Step 1 building), and 100% better than being homeless and where I lived before. I like having my own personal space but also enjoy being part of what feels like a close knit family. I really enjoy the activities provided by Step by Step and I like the First Steps programme which is helping me to learn life skills and how to get on with other people.”
Mike Brown, Step by Step's Chairman adds:"The new building is all about transforming young lives and delivering better outcomes for the local community. It is an incredibly exciting project to have been involved in, and I’m very proud of the team of volunteers – in particular Clive Parnell, our Project Manager - who have worked tirelessly to deliver this in their own time for the benefit of our community – over 850 young people use our service every year and will benefit from their efforts.” The ground floor of the building houses Step by Step's training and advisory services, which are open to all young people seeking advice or support with a wide range of issues. Interview rooms and staff offices occupy the first floor and the two top storeys house the charity's Steps 1 and 2 accommodation services. Step 1 is for those in most need of support and has 15 single en-suite study-bedrooms and a shared kitchen/dining area with facilities for cookery demonstrations. Clients in Step 2 occupy the top floor, which is organised into four clusters of four flats, each with its own kitchen and dining area. Step 2 clients enjoy greater independence but support is readily available if required.
The new building, which is owned and managed by Sentinel Housing Association, was built by Wilding Butler and has been funded by a partnership of seven local authorities, Sentinel Housing, and the Homes and Community Agency. Generous donations have also been received from a number of local and national charities, schools and individuals. Step by Step is always looking for volunteers to help extend its services. If you might be interested in helping, please contact our Fundraising Team in the first instance, on 01252 346107, or email fundraising@stepbystep.org.uk.
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©2011 Step by Step Partnership Ltd : Reg. Charity No. 900308 : Company No. 2431825 |
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