The People First Fund

Aim

Helping children thrive by supporting the families who stand beside them with counselling, education and community

At Next Steps, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, valued and able to thrive.

Every day, we work alongside children and young people who face barriers to education. Some are navigating SEND, neurodivergence, anxiety, trauma or emotionally based school avoidance. Others have experienced challenges that have left them disconnected from learning, confidence or a sense of belonging.

Our role is to help young people take positive next steps. But over the years, we've learned something important.

When a child is struggling, it's rarely just the child who needs support.

Behind every young person is a parent, grandparent, carer or family member doing everything they can to help. They're attending meetings, advocating for support, managing appointments, navigating complex systems and carrying the emotional weight of helping someone they love.

Too often, families face these challenges alone.

That's why we've created The People First Fund.

Inspired by one of our core values, the fund exists to remove barriers and strengthen the support available to children and families when they need it most.

Through The People First Fund, we aim to provide:

• Counselling and emotional wellbeing support for parents and carers.
• Small-group educational opportunities for children and young people who are unable to attend school.
• Social groups that help young people build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
• Parent Hub support groups where families can connect, share experiences and support one another.
• A parent support phone line providing a listening ear, guidance and signposting during difficult times.

Every family's journey is different. Some may need emotional support. Others may need help reconnecting with education or opportunities to reduce isolation and build confidence. The People First Fund allows us to respond flexibly to the needs of the families we serve.

Every donation received will be managed by Next Steps Tutors C.I.C. and used solely to provide support through The People First Fund, because when families feel supported, children are better able to thrive and when parents feel heard, they are better equipped to support their children.

That's what People First means to us.

Thank you for helping us make that possible.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 30th November 2026 at 12:27pm