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Step by Step wins Children in Need Award

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Step by Step, the Aldershot-based charity, has been awarded a major grant from the BBC’s Children in Need Appeal. The grant will be used to support literacy and numeracy skills training provided by Step by Step’s Daylight project, based at the Aldershot Institute in Station Road.

Children in Need raised over £32 million from its 2006 appeal and Step by Step has been fortunate enough to secure one of the largest grants in the area – a total of £67,994 spread over three years. The money – which was granted only after a rigorous and comprehensive scrutiny of the application - will be used to fund three part-time project workers who will concentrate on developing essential communications and numeracy skills among homeless and unemployed young people.

“This is a fantastic result for us and for our young people,” said Amanda Dubarry, Chief Executive of Step by Step. “We can now offer a better, more consistent service to our clients knowing that we have the assurance of continued funding from Children in Need. The grant also demonstrates Children in Need’s confidence in our ability to provide high quality, cost effective services which meet the needs of this vulnerable and often-forgotten section of society.”

Homeless young people face huge difficulties as they try to return to independent and responsible living. Many are hindered by their lack of proficiency in writing, communication and basic arithmetic skills, without which they find it difficult to apply for jobs or training, or understand tenancy agreements, grant applications and other similar documents.

Daylight is one of the Step by Step’s Youth Development Projects, providing a drop-in centre where homeless and unemployed young people can learn and enhance their skills in a variety of areas, including health, diet, legal rights and obligations, relationships, and information technology.

©2007 Step by Step Partnership Ltd   :   Reg. Charity No. 900308    :   Company No. 2431825