Spinnaker Tower Abseil, Portsmouth
11 July 2026
Staff Stories
As a Support Worker for our Launch service, I deal with enquiries from young people on a wide range of issues. These include housing, education, benefits, employment, sexual health, wellbeing, budgeting, and many more.
I also speak to Social Workers, Personal Advisors, other support agencies and internal Support Workers. I help young people to source accommodation – that can be supported accommodation or within private rent sector. I also give wellbeing sessions.
Our wellbeing sessions are an early-intervention service designed to help young people build confidence, develop coping skills, and improve their overall wellbeing. It’s practical and supportive, focusing on things like managing stress, building resilience, understanding emotions, and improving day-to-day functioning.
It’s ideal for a young person who would benefit from guidance, strategies, and a safe space to talk, but doesn’t necessarily need formal therapy.
I ran my own swim school for 18 years. Before that I worked for HMRC.
It feels so rewarding to be able to help young people who have not had the best start in life.
Every day is different because all young people are very different.
Trying to find affordable accommodation for young people is always a challenge. It can be dispiriting when young people want to work, so you support them, only for them to be better off on benefits.
I still teach swimming part time. I enjoy Pilates and walking to keep mobile, and I also like to cook.
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.
