Stepping Stones NI
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Mission Statement
Our Mission: “To nurture the potential of people with a disability to thrive in a socially inclusive society”.
About This Cause
Stepping Stones NI is an award-winning charitable organisation and company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland that provides training and employment services for people with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and Autism in conjunction with social enterprise activity. We deliver our service across 4 Council areas currently in Northern Ireland i.e Lisburn and Castlereagh, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Ards and North Down and Newry and Mourne. The company was first established in 1996 to fill the gap in service provision for people with learning disabilities who had no access to training to advance their skills towards employment and volunteering. Stepping Stones NI opened its doors in January 1998 providing training and supported opportunities for people with severe learning disabilities. Since inception the organisation has developed its social enterprises and services to support a range of people with barriers to learning including learning disability, learning difficulties and those with Autism. The services and social enterprises at Stepping Stones NI include: • Youth Service: engaging with young people aged 16-24 who are not in any form of training or employment through a range of activities. • Transitions Service: supporting school leavers with learning disabilities/difficulties to make the move from school to further education, employment or training. • Training: offering training and outreach training to people in various courses leading to the attainment of accredited qualifications including; customer service, health and safety, work appropriate behaviour, catering, money management etc, anti-bullying etc. • Employment Service: providing employment support to people with learning difficulties and learning disabilities. This includes help with; writing CVs, application form preparation, interviews preparation and support in the work place with employers. We help people to gain employment with more community participation. • The Courtyard Cafe: The coffee shop is a registered site for NVQ catering qualifications in Food Preparation and Food Service and Customer Service providing a realistic training environment in which people can develop their catering and hospitality skills. • Pink Elephant Cards: Social enterprise specialising in bespoke wedding stationery and greeting cards made by people with learning disabilities. • 2nd Avenue Cafe: social enterprise providing volunteering opportunities to adults with learning disability as well as an outside catering service and room hire. • Stepping Stones Picture Framing: Social Enterprise offering training in picture framing and customer service to people with learning disabilities. Recognised by the Fine Art Trade Guild as quality provider of framing services and staff trained to Guild Commended Framer standard. • The Gatelodge Café: Social enterprise Café in Newtownards delivering quality training for people with learning disabilities in hospitality, customer service and food preparation. Stepping Stones NI ensures that people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties and Autism have the support and opportunity to develop their skills, realise their talents, try new things, attain accredited qualifications, live as active citizens in their community and find employment. We develop quality training and employment services for people with a variety of learning abilities who require the support they need to advance their training and gain the support to gain employment Our Mission and Values and objectives In 2020, we tailored our vision, mission, and values, to project forward our aspirations, our intentions, and our actions towards creating a better future for people with a disability. Front and centre in every decision we make is a person, whose life can be made better by the work we do, we always do our best for all our people. Our Vision “A socially enriched world where every individual can take proud steps towards a life fulfilled”. Our Mission “To nurture the potential of people with a disability to thrive in a socially inclusive society”. Our Values Drive Our Actions We Respect everyone’s right to a life more fulfilled. We Inspire employers and the wider community to see disability differently. We Nurture all of our People to be their best. We Empower each-other to make a positive impact on the world. We are Driven, seizing every opportunity to create better lives. We are Honest and always do the right thing. We are Positively Charged to make things possible. We are Quality Focussed, to always ensure the highest standard. Our Objectives • To develop services and social enterprises which will provide appropriate training opportunities leading to employment for adults with learning difficulties. • To equip individuals participating in projects and services with knowledge, skills, attitudes and qualifications to enable progression to supported employment. • To increase disability awareness amongst society. • To promote independence, wellbeing and social inclusion amongst adults with learning difficulties participating in projects. • To provide a quality service to stakeholders accessing Stepping Stones services and social enterprises. • To promote cooperation and develop links with other relevant agencies to maximise opportunities for people with learning difficulties. In relation to Stepping Stones NI services the term “learning difficulty” includes any learning disability, difficulties, and health condition or those on the autistic spectrum. Strategy for delivery Our strategic plan focuses on the following themes: 1. Social Enterprise 2. Employment 3. Skills and Training 4. Health and Well-Being Stepping Stones NI was incorporated in 1996 and is established under Articles of Association which sets out the objects and powers of the company, and the company is governed under its Articles of Association. In 2022 Stepping Stones NI will be developing a new Health and Wellbeing centre based at Navigation House in Lisburn which will address the needs of people with disabilities by encompassing a horticultural programme.