Spinnaker Tower Abseil, Portsmouth
11 July 2026
Staff Stories
I joined in April 2024, starting off as a Compliance Officer working with fostering, Foyers and Supported Lodgings.
After a year in that role, I spent six months as Foyer Manager in Aldershot, working with a fantastic team supporting young people on their journey to independence.
I have now moved into my current role as Recruitment and Retention Lead for Supported Lodgings.
It is a busy and varied role. I focus on finding new and creative ways to recruit foster carers and Supported Lodgings hosts, while also retaining those who are already fostering or hosting with Step by Step.
One idea I introduced was hosting informal coffee mornings. These events give people the chance to learn more about fostering and Supported Lodgings by chatting with staff and current hosts and carers in a relaxed setting.
I also organise events and secure stalls at community events throughout the year, from village fetes to festivals.
Alongside recruitment and retention, I support compliance processes, help with panel administration, respond to website enquiries, and I am part of the trauma informed team.
Alongside my role at the charity, I run a transcription and editing business that I started 13 years ago. I manage a small team and really enjoy the work.
I have always enjoyed helping people, and I am inspired by the opportunity to help Step by Step grow and reach more young people.
It is an incredible organisation to be part of, and I can honestly say I have never worked anywhere better.
The people make the job. I never feel restricted in sharing ideas, and they are always listened to and valued. Being part of such a supportive team makes a real difference.
One of the biggest challenges is recruiting foster carers. I don’t think people realise just how rewarding and life changing fostering can be, both for the young person and for the carer themselves.
I have really enjoyed organising events through my role at Step by Step, so much so that I have started organising them in my local town through a social group I created.
The events have been very successful so far and we are hoping to organise a local festival next year. I also love spending time with my family, going for walks, and I am an avid “comper”, regularly entering competitions. Recently I won cocktails, dinner and an overnight stay at a five star hotel in London, which I will be enjoying with my two daughters.
I can type all 195 countries in the world in under 5 minutes.
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.
