Step Forward
About us
At Step Forward (Tower Hamlets) we believe that all children and young people have the right to feel safe. To grow up free from abuse, neglect, discrimination and the negative effects of poverty and disadvantage. We believe that all young people should have the support, opportunities and encouragement to learn, grow, develop and thrive but, unfortunately, this is not always the case for so many. Step Forward was founded as an independent charity in 1988 to address the unmet needs of local young people and influence positive social change.
Since our inception we have provided both preventative and crisis response services to over 12,000 local young people. Our interventions have directly impacted on the lives of those we work with, reducing the risk of their: involvement in crime; drugs and alcohol; depression; unemployment; gang violence and knife crime; homelessness; teenage pregnancy etc.
What we do
We now offer an innovative blend of personal and practical support services for children and young people aged 11-25 and their families including free and confidential advice, counselling, guidance, personal development and family support services. Last year alone we provided over 6,500 individual and group sessions and reached over 2,000 young people and 50 families.
We are an inclusive organisation and operate an open door policy welcoming all young people never knowingly turning people away who need our support. Our person centred approach enables us to build a trusting, non-judgmental and empathic relationship with our clients.. We support clients through any difficulties, past trauma or abuse to enable them to avoid developing patterns of anti-social, self-harming, mental health or offending behaviour. This is coupled with more practical support and guidance including informing young people about their rights and responsibilities and supporting them to make goals for their future.
What we’re raising funds for
As an independent charity we are responsible for raising the money we need each year to survive. We recognise the need to grow to ensure that we can assist greater numbers of vulnerable people. We know that people in other boroughs and neighbourhoods would benefit from our services. Therefore we are leading Step Forward through a period of unprecedented change and structuring the organisation for growth.
Financial support from you would ensure that we have the organisational stability to continue with and further develop our services. The flexibility of the funding means we can use it to support any aspect of our work and never run the risk of ever having to reduce essential services at a time when they are most needed.
We need to ensure that we survive as feedback from our clients makes it clear that we not only change lives we save lives as well. Here are some quotes from service users:
“If I knew someone who had experienced the same thing that I did I would tell them to use Step Forward because they can be happy again”
“I want to thank my worker for all the support and help you have given me and to all the Step Forward people. Without you I would not be here writing this”
Our target
Step Forward has to fundraise over £330,000 annually to keep providing services at the present level. There is a growing need to increase the levels of services we can provide to children and young people. As a result of the current financial situation we have fundraising target this year of £80,000.
Your support will allow us to invest in and help transform young lives to help create a better for future for us all. Any funds raised in excess or our target will enable us to increase the level of services and reach a greater number of children and young people. Our longer term aims include replicating our successful and effective services so that we can help the children and young people in other areas.
Find out more about our work at www.stepforward-web.org
Step Forward (Tower Hamlets) - registered charity No. 802597
Release up to 14%
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