Step by Step was founded on a belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to realise their potential. What began as a local effort to help young people in crisis has grown into a movement across the South of England. Our journey is one of hope, determination and the power of community.
In 1987, Bridget Crowther founded Step by Step -then known as Blackwater Valley Accommodation Projects- to support young people in Aldershot who were facing homelessness and hardship. Her vision was to create a safe and supportive environment where young people could rebuild their lives and move forward with confidence.
What began as a small initiative soon grew into a trusted local service, laying the foundation for the charity's future impact.
Today, we are a leading youth charity, empowering young people across the South of England to overcome adversity and realise their full potential.
Bridget Crowther founds Step by Step to provide practical help and emotional support for young people in crisis.
Step by Step is officially registered as a charity under the name Blackwater Valley Accommodation Projects (BVAP).
Enough funds are raised to purchase, refurbish and open Emmaus House in Aldershot, providing supported accommodation for 12 young people.
An additional house at 63 Victoria Road is purchased, providing supported accommodation for seven young people.
A further property at 61 Victoria Road opens, providing additional supported accommodation for young people.
BVAP changes its name to Emmaus Projects, marking a new phase in the charity's development.
We begin offering Supported Lodgings, providing young people with the opportunity to live in the homes of trained community hosts.
We launch the Daylight project, offering young people structured education sessions to build confidence, skills and independence.
We launch the Cybershed, an IT centre offering young people essential computer experience and skills to support their journey into employment.
Emmaus Projects officially becomes Step by Step, reflecting the charity's evolving identity and mission.
We launch our Counselling Programme to support young people's emotional wellbeing. The Back to Work and Dr Al initiatives begin, offering employability and education programmes to help young people build confidence and skills for the future.
We develop the First Steps programme, building on earlier employability services to help young people take their next steps into education and employment.
Supported Lodgings expands into West Berkshire, offering young people more safe homes in the community. We also launch our Family Mediation service to help rebuild relationships and prevent homelessness.
Our purpose-built Foyer opens in Aldershot, replacing all previous accommodation at Emmaus House and Victoria Road, and offering high-quality, supported housing under one roof.
We launch new accommodation services in Havant, expanding our reach to support more young people in need.
We launch accommodation services in Gosport and expand Supported Lodgings into Surrey to support even more young people in safe and stable homes.
Accommodation services launch in Fareham and Basingstoke. Supported Lodgings expands into East Hampshire, creating more opportunities for young people to live in safe, supportive homes. We also launch the Future All employability service in Hart, Rushmoor and New Forest, and introduce Future STEPS 1:1 Talent Coaching in Guildford and Waverley.
Supported Lodgings expands into Dorset and new accommodation opens in Shaftesbury. Our Future STEPS programme grows to cover Rushmoor and Hart, and counselling provision expands throughout North Hampshire and South West Surrey.
Aldershot Foyer is awarded Foyer of the Year by the Foyer Foundation. Our Board wins an Improving Impact Award at the National Charity Governance Awards. We also launch INVEST, a preventative service working within schools in Hart to support young people early and reduce the risk of homelessness.
We win new Local Authority contracts to expand our Supported Lodgings service into additional areas, allowing more young people to access safe, community-based housing.
Step by Step is now delivering services across six counties in the South of England: Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Berkshire and West Sussex. Our reach continues to grow, helping more young people realise their potential.
We launch Supported Independence Flats, offering accommodation for young people who are not eligible for other forms of support.
Youth AIMS is rebranded as Launch, offering an expanded support service across all six counties where we operate.
Our Foyers, Supported Lodgings and new fostering agency pass Ofsted registration, marking a key milestone in the quality and reach of our services.
We officially launch Step by Step Fostering, offering safe, nurturing homes for young people.
Our history is shaped by the many heroes who have walked beside us: the staff, volunteers, hosts, supporters, commissioners and, above all, the young people themselves. Every milestone has been fuelled by their belief, courage and commitment.
Today, Step by Step stands as a beacon of hope. But our journey is far from over.
