Spinnaker Tower Abseil, Portsmouth
11 July 2026
News
This year’s Cheese and Chilli Festival was a fantastic success for Step by Step. Over eight dates and four locations, we spoke with hundreds of visitors and got dozens on board in taking a stand against youth homelessness.
As the event’s official charity partner, it was a great opportunity to be seen and heard, and champion our mission to combat youth homelessness and empower young heroes.
Taking place in Christchurch, Winchester, Chichester and Guildford, we enjoyed beautiful sunshine and endured torrential rain. Our fantastic volunteers and team remained unphased throughout, united by a passion for our cause.
Children took part in our Cheese and Chilli ball game; Adults entered our competition to win a weekend away. Each was an opportunity for us to talk about the need for Foster Carers, Supported Lodgings Hosts and new supporters.
“It’s the unexpected moments that will stay with me,” said Leanne King, Step by Step Charity Champion. “Like someone walking over and saying, ‘Step by Step saved my life’, or ‘You helped my friend when no one else would’.
We even saw a young person currently in our Supported Lodgings, enjoying the day with their host – it was amazing to see them so relaxed and happy.” We would like to thank the event organisers for choosing to support Step by Step, Swizzels for their donation of sweets, and Bartley Lodge Hotel for the donation of our amazing competition prize. Thanks also to our fantastic team and volunteers who made the festival such a great success for our charity.
But most of all, thank you to every single person who took the time to visit our stand.
We are proud to announce the opening of our new move-on property in Bedhampton. This home will support up to four young people aged 18 and over, many of whom might otherwise be left waiting on housing lists, homeless, or relying on a friend’s sofa.
The Bedhampton property is the third Step by Step move-on home – a unique accommodation model for young people ready to move on with their lives but with no viable housing options available to them.
