The Next Step to Confidence and Independence

Aim

To offer a supported Independence programme, that mentors those requiring extra support to equip them with the tools to make informed choice

Next Steps Development is based in North Devon and was established in May 2018 but became a registered charity (1182222) in February 2019. 

 The charity was set up by two parents for school leaving adults who have a learning disability or mental health illness, they identified a severe lack of support locally for young adults of this age. Next Steps Development is committed to empowering people with special educational needs or mental health issues, working closely with each individual, their families and professionals, we aim to provide the highest quality training that is meaningful, person-centred and provides life-long essential skills. 

We have a comprehensive volunteer base, but also employ support staff, who help guide, and empower each of our individuals. 

 Next Steps Development work with local businesses to provide employment opportunities for the people we support, we offer a comprehensive training programme externally, to sustain the requirements needed to work closely with someone who may not learn or be taught in a conventional  way. The people we help are often those furthest from the labour market, who rely on the benefits system, at Next Steps we are trying to reduce stigmatisation around disability in the workplace and highlight their ability instead of focusing on their disability. We not only work with a local recruitment company to find dedicated support staff, but it is mandatory that they complete our internal 12week training programme, which includes, safeguarding, first aid, reporting and autism awareness, so they are more fully aware for the people they are to support. Currently we have placed over 100 people with external employers within Barnstaple, Bideford, and the surrounding areas, maintaining and supporting throughout. The local companies we are working with are in the fields of Joinery, Mechanics, Hospitality, Retail, Small Holdings, Equine Therapy, Retail, IT, Design, Finance, Engineering, and Independence.  

We have positive results across the Charity through different projects we run, these include a piloted AQA certificated training scheme, which we now offer this route to al our service users due to the initial success and achievements that were documented. 

Currently in our areas there are few services that are available to the demographic we support. During the Covid lockdowns there have been many services that have been lost, due to lost revenue and funding, this obviously highlights and ever-growing need for services in the area. Additionally, we are a unique service provider in the sense of pathways. No other services that we are aware of, offer such a complete range of training and education to be accessed at the point of origin. 

 In Barnstaple alone there are two foundation special schools which support the town and the wider areas of North Devon, one has 122 pupils with a SEN and another 151 pupils and only 9.3% of children with a SEN go to a specialist school (Department of Education 2018) Currently we offer work experience programmes and both schools attend our sessions, some in Mechanics, Retail, and farming. 

 We are a local Charity all the individuals who access our service are from the local community. 

These individuals have often led isolative lives, thus lacking the understanding and pride of what being part of the local community bring. Often shunned by others in society this exacerbates the issue. Due to their  condition(s) these people have not been able to participate in local event’s, or provide important input into their local areas and Covid restrictions have only made people feel more isolated and unable to access the help and support required. With the programmes we are currently looking to offer we aim to change this. 

 It is often difficult for our service users to develop the social skills needed to interact with others. We strive to improve this through our peer-to-peer support network which has proven repeatedly that given the opportunity, and support, the individuals not only open up and engage, but then go  on to create groups of friends who often venture out ( COVID restrictions allowing) to many places and enjoy time together. As is often the case with those who present with learning disabilities/ autism, individuals spend a substantial proportion of their time in a room, not socialising with anyone. As we have witnessed, those who have been with us for some time now interact with others without issue. Often we are visitors from many backgrounds ( social workers, customers, potential new placements etc) and those visitors are astonished by the openness and willingness to engage. This is not only proving that our programme works but highlights what individuals with disabilities are capable of when they work with support and confidence in their abilities. 

 As there are many local services close due to COVID, we have an opportunity to fill exceptionally large gaps in the service as the provider. As the plight of individuals, and subsequent lack of opportunities for those who present with these conditions has been highlighted across the media recently, we feel it is imperative that we seek further funds to expand our services to accommodate this additional need. 

  As part of our services enabling people to gain employment improving their lives and reduce/ remove the need for supplementary government benefits, thus allowing for individuals to contribute to society and their local community.  

Next Steps Development links in with many other services in the area to support and provide our service. Some of the services we have ties with are: 

  What this money will help towards!

Our  independent Suite houses a variety of activities needed to gain independent living skills. These include budgeting, travel training, preparing food, hot drinks, we very often take students out to buy coffee, go shopping and involve them in the community surrounding us, We have found this to be a vital resource post COVID due to isolation,  mental health illness and the lack of understanding restrictions and COVID itself. 

We are requesting funding to expand the Independence Suite, as it was a pilot initially post Covid, we wanted to see how the service was used before we applied for any funding, the introduction of the Psychologist and nurse has totally changed the dynamic of what we are offering. Our Suite has been kitted out with donated items, which if I am honest are although safe, very dated, and are not really fit for people we are now supporting. 

 We have recently made the decision to employ a full time Psychologist, who we believe will be able to offer a service to all the people we support, providing a comprehensive support programme which can be delivered on site, in homes, schools etc. On top of this we have also employed a part-time nurse, who will offer small support groups talks on, Sexual Health, Online Security, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Mental Health, Safety in the home and Police Services they are also going to be checking oral hygiene, weight, height, diet etc, we can then refer on if required to outside agencies, this will eliminate people who may slip through the net of social services due to their inability to access the services they may require. 

Our board of Trustees are a wonderful group of people, who are busy in their own lives but give up some of their precious time to support the Charity in many ways, between them they have a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge, but also, they all have somehow been touched by disability in their own lives or their wide families. The board have recently requested that 3 of the people we support be invited to join, so they can have their say about the Charity that is there for them, we believe that we can only do an excellent job if we know what is required and if the people who require the help tell us their opinions. 

Testimonial

"I got off to a rocky start in life, but I have been at Next Steps Development for one year now and it has truly been my salvation. It is the only place that has ever accepted me for me. I have made so many incredible friends and I have done things, I never thought I could ever do. I would really recommend it to anyone who is interested in joining our family, it saved me!"

Rob, Peer to Peer Mentor at Next Steps Development- October 2020

This project successfully funded on 12th April 2022