Our six key
day centre
subject areas
Art & Craft
As well as a means of expression, art and craft is used as a framework for broader learning, as an opportunity to pursue individual projects and to work as part of a team with a common goal. In line with our aim of engaging with the public and meeting others, students and staff create art and craft items to develop into saleable products. For some students, art is central to their sense of self-worth and how they relate to the world. We love to visit and be inspired by the many amazing galleries and exhibitions our city hosts!
Horticulture
At our allotment we grow fruit and veg that keep our kitchen well supplied with fresh produce, as well as the ornamental plants that we sell at our open days and local events during the year. Our students help with all aspects of our allotment - from planning the beds, planting and potting on seeds, maintaining beds and improving soil quality, watering and growing. The allotment provides a great opportunity to spend time outdoors and encourage movement. It is seen by our students as a place of wellbeing and happiness.
Cooking
Our kitchen is at the centre of much of what we do every day. Students cook healthy and nutritious lunches, and make a range of preserves, using our colourful allotment harvest. We are adventurous cooks, sampling food from all around the globe and we enjoy creating our own dishes too. The kitchen reaches out to our local community by inviting guest cooks to come and share favourite recipes and cook alongside our students, through our ‘Cooks in the Kitchen’ project.
Media
Our regular blog posts, videos, music and photography all come together in the I.T. room. Here the students are supported to use a variety of digital media to share Stepping Stones’ news through our website and social media. Students make instructional cooking and art videos, share photos and videos from the allotment and make music to accompany their video projects. The students use tablets, cameras and audio equipment to capture their work before editing it using film and music software.
Independent Life Skills
In 2019 Stepping Stones launched a new domestic life skills project – Angel Road – allowing our students to develop their independent living skills in a supportive environment that might enable some to move on into their own accommodation. At Angel Road students are able to concentrate on more personal everyday tasks such as cooking for one or two people, budgeting and shopping for themselves, housekeeping on a domestic scale and organising their free time productively with exercise, entertainment and social activities.
Enterprise
In 2021 we launched our Enterprise Project with a pop-up art exhibition and shop, selling prints, cards, totebags and t-shirts created using our students’ art work. The event was such a success that in 2022 we are focusing on developing this Project into a sustainable income stream. To do this we are working with a small number of local businesses who will sell our cards, setting up an online shop and also attending local events to sell our products. Selling on a stall provides opportunities for interaction with the public, as well as helping develop communication skills and confidence in dealing with money. Our students also gain confidence through seeing their artwork developed into items that people want to buy.
Health and Wellbeing
We support our students to embrace health, happiness, and prosperity in many ways at Stepping Stones. Whether an activity is going for walk, having a chat (tea and cake optional!) or doing yoga, we support our students to develop a sense of meaning, purpose, resilience to manage anxieties and to generally feel well.
Wellbeing is embedded in all of our sessions and we are always looking for ways to help our students stay healthy, socially connected, and purposeful.
Employment
Started in 2023, the Employment group is a session where students learn about the world of work, having the support to produce CV’s, practice interviews, job search and access different environments on tours. Some students take volunteering positions, work experience and work towards paid employment.