Swindon charity prepares to celebrate 40 years of helping young people

STEP Swindon this year marks four decades of helping young people face their challenges and make the best of their lives and futures.

The organisation is a charity providing therapeutic group work for young people aged between seven and 18. 

Their needs vary greatly, involving issues as diverse as anxiety, anger struggles, self-harm, bullying, friendship difficulties, social isolation and family issues such as exposure to domestic violence and parental drug and alcohol problems. 

STEP Swindon runs seven groups a week for young people, with group sizes of between 10 and 15 people. Group membership is allocated by age and the nature of their need. 

Children and young people find ther way to STEP Swindon following referrals from a range of professionals including those in education and social services. 

The organisation has 12 staff members, seven volunteers supporting evening groups and six volunteer trustees. 

STEP Swindon Project Manager Paul Dobson said: "As time goes on we have adapted to meet the need. 

"When I first started it was still very much behavioural, anger, prevention, getting into youth justice, going into care, things like that." 

More recently, the organisation has found itself catering to an increase in need based on mental health and wellbeing issues. 

More young people are being diagnosed with autism and ADHD, for example, and the impact of the covid pandemic is still being felt by a generation of young people who were told for months on end that going out and mingling with other people was potentially dangerous - only to be thrust back into school with crowds of other people once lockdown ended. 

The charity always welcomes donations of funds, games, art and craft equipment, pens and other useful items. It also welcomes inquiries from potential volunteers, including possible trustees. 

STEP Swindon is planning several gatherings to celebrate its 40th anniversary, and would like to hear from people who have helped the charity - or been helped by it - in the past. 

All are welcome to get in touch and share their stories. 

Full details can be found at stepswindon.co.uk