News
We’re proud to report that Rachel Walters, Supported Lodgings Placement Coordinator, has come runner up in a Basingstoke charity award.
A Place to be Proud of Awards – organised by Destination Basingstoke – recognises individuals, groups and organisations who have had a positive impact on the local community. Rachel made it through to the final selection in the Charity Champion category, a new award for the charity staff member who has made a significant local impact.
Although she didn’t win, Rachel attended a finalists’ awards ceremony at Audley’s Wood Hotel and was delighted to be a runner up among such worthy unsung heroes.
Rachel told us: “It was such a nice thing to go to. I had a lovely evening meeting some amazing people and hearing about the contribution they have made.”
As a Supported Lodgings Placement Coordinator, Rachel supports young people living with host families in the community, ensuring that the placement is working for the young person and the individual or family who has opened their home.
Rachel was nominated for the award for going above and beyond for the young people and hosts she works with.
A congratulatory letter from Basingstoke MP, Luke Murphy, stated: "What sets you apart is the way you refuse to let process get in the way of people; adjusting your hours to visit in the evenings, and personally driving a young person to football training to maintain their sense of belonging."
Basingstoke is a key area for Step by Step – we support local young people with Supported Accommodation, a Move On house, Supported Lodgings, and our Launch advice and guidance service.
We’re so pleased for Rachel to have her fantastic contribution recognised.
A government-commissioned review published this week has found that young people leaving care are dying at up to four times the rate of their peers.
Across our accommodation and wellbeing services, we see what happens when a young person turns 18 and the support around them disappears overnight.
