Our Journey

The first step takes courage.

The second step starts your journey...

We bring a diverse set of skills to Starting Step and this will allow us to work with those in need and with multiple barriers; including those with mental health challenges, learning difficulties and those who have been involved with the criminal justice system.

Starting Step believes that people make mistakes and we need to help ensure that such mistakes are not repeated; not just because of the emotional and financial cost of crime to victims, families and society, but because of the loss of human potential.

We want to improve the life chances of those who suffer from social disadvantage and, in so many cases, have taken a wrong turn and cannot find their way back.

We believe that such a view is neither ideological nor controversial but is human and compassionate.

A dream doesn't become reality through magic;

it takes sweat, determination and hard work...

Starting Step will be a learning hub for the benefit of the local community and others. This will be a flexible working space that can adapt to the needs of both Starting Step and the people within the community.

We want to empower disenfranchised people to take control of their future.

Starting Step has developed a commercially run café/bistro called Rascals.

We offer training opportunities for disadvantaged people with support to move on to full time employment. There are many opportunities in the hospitality industry and there is a growing need for staff; this gives our people a real chance to move forward and improve their lives, benefit their families and help to eradicate the stigma of past mistakes.

Starting Step will also develop a kitchen garden. Horticulture brings a multitude of benefits including better physical and mental health and the ability to work with a diverse group of people of all ages, including inter-generational work.

We will use hospitality and horticulture as a base for building on the individual’s strengths and skills.

Clients will be able to self-refer as well as coming to us from outside agencies. It is essential that we address the stigma of both mental health and convictions. From our focus groups it is evident that isolation comes in many forms often caused by discrimination.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or for some other time.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

We are the change that we seek.