“Almost forty years ago, a speaker came into the primary school in Aldershot where I was teaching. She was from a local charity set up to support homeless children and young people. She described children not much older than my pupils who had nowhere to live. For my pupils, it was a shock to learn that not all young people grow up in a loving home. For me, too, it was surprising that being homeless was something that could happen to a child, on our doorstep.
"My school fundraised to contribute to the charity, then called the Emmaus Project, over the years. This was the seed of an enduring relationship with Step by Step, as that charity became. I taught children for many years. Among these were ‘looked after’ children who, due to a variety of circumstances, were not being brought up in their family homes. The adults around them worked to support them in the best way possible - as Step by Step does. With good reason, it was and is recognised that they need a great deal more time and help than their classmates.
"I wasn’t fortunate enough to have children of my own. I’ve had a will for many years, but it never felt quite right. For all that beneficiaries might feel touched and welcome a gift, none of them really needed money from me.
"For some time, I have made regular contributions to Step by Step as I want to help boost young people’s chances when they have had a difficult start to their lives. Now I researched further into the charity.
"Importantly to me, Step by Step prepares young people carefully for independence. There are so many elements to this that many of us take for granted because we have a network of adults teaching us gradually how to be an adult. How hard it must be without family to support and guide.
"So a couple of years ago, I took the plunge and had a new will drawn-up and included Step by Step. I hope my legacy will help more young people to find a safe space in which to grow up and become independent, and to have the opportunity to do things other young people might take for granted.”
To find out more about legacy giving, and leaving a gift to Step by Step in your will, please click here.
Skye became homeless after leaving her mum’s house to escape emotional abuse. Step by Step gave her a Supported Accommodation Bed, which would give her one-to-one support with her mental health needs.
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