Step by Step

A haven where children
with special needs feel

Trusted by:

For 25 years, Step by Step has enhanced the lives of local families with disability in London and across the UK

We
provide care,
imbue life skills,
and grant families respite.

Whenever schools are closed.

An oasis of joy

Step by Step provides recreation for children with moderate to severe physical, emotional and learning disabilities, from age two to adult.

We arrange out-of-school activities, sports, day trips and holiday playschemes, helping the children thrive in a fun, friendly setting, while giving their parents a much-needed break from their caring role on days off, like Shabbat, winter holidays, bank holidays and half-term.

Children currently in the programme

family members positively impacted

Our Services

Sunday
Club

Step To
Work

Stay &
play

Sports
Programme

Holiday Playschemes

Activities &
day trips

Musical
Performance

Sensory
stimulation

What the authorities say about us:

“It’s amazing that such an organisation even exists. You go in there, it’s always calm, warm, friendly. It’s also very well run — but not in an institutional way, and that comes through very much from watching the staff interact with the children. They’re overwhelmingly kind, but they treat them like people, just like I’d treat my own grandson. It’s truly amazing what they do.”

Barbara Blake

Independent Councillor

“Staff support children exceptionally well...They spend considerable time getting to know children and their families and are sensitive and responsive to their individual needs... Support for children’s play, development and learning is exceptional in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem extremely well... and solid friendships are formed.”

Ofsted

(See full 2019 report here)

“Parents have told me that without Step by Step they would not be able to manage the daily needs of their child. Step by Step gives them the break they need to recharge and regain strength to carry on caring for their disabled child.”

Katherine Doyle

Head of Children & Young People Services, Hackney Social Services.

Here’s how we maximise our mission:

Over two decades in operation

As an established longstanding organisation, we have fine-tuned our services through trial and error to provide a top-rated stellar experience.

Culturally- appropriate programme

Culturally appropriate programme

We are the only local Orthodox Jewish out-of-school-hours programme for special-needs, enabling the children to be in a setting that promotes their family’s values.

Separate parent-led committee

We are the only Orthodox Jewish service of its kind in all of London with a parent-led committee, which assures parents that they are equal partners in their child’s out-of-house care.

75% volunteer staff

Huge volunteer base

With 70% of our team operating on a volunteer basis, the funding we receive is not diluted by staff or administrative costs but concentrated on the fruition and quality of our services.

Open 365 days a year

As an essential service, we work hard to stay open every day of the year. This includes Jewish holidays, which are ideal family-bonding times, but can be stressful in homes with special needs.

Tiered age groups

The groups are divided in five age groups, separated for boys and girls over 12, to allow for age-appropriate activities and sports.

Ability differentiated sub-groups

Each group is further divided into levels of ability, to enable staff to best meet each child’s individual social, emotional or physical needs. ‘Butterflies’ is the group of younger children with severe physical disabilities.

Two-way transport arrangements

A wheelchair-accessible bus collects and drops off the children from school, home or other address, so the headache is ours, the pleasure is the parents’, maximising the respite experience.

We are the only organisation of its kind geared to the local Orthodox Jewish community.

What Parents say about us:

“Step by Step has been part of my familyfor the past 12 years. I can’t imagine life without them. I have other kids too and, on Sunday, I like to take them out, which would be impossible if Gershon were home. Their services are a lifesaver for my entire family.”

Mrs Malki Stern

Mother of Gershon, 13, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder and a rare chromosome disorder.

“I sent Chaya Chani to Step by Step to boost her confidence, improve her social skills and give her exercise through sports. They did a fantastic job. She has tons and tons of friends, she interacts better, she’s become more independent, even goes shopping herself. And thanks to the sports, she’s an excellent swimmer, loves to dance and ice-skates brilliantly — when even I can’t! I’d never have thought it all possible. It’s phenomenal.”

Mrs Miriam Josovic

Mother of Chaya Chani, 19, who has Down Syndrome.

Step by Step in Numbers

0

children turned away over fees

5

parallel full-day Sunday clubs

8

enriching day trips a year

17

after- school sports sessions a week

28

days of holiday playscheme a year

30

hours of after-school care per child a week

300+

volunteers sharing the love

34,272

hours devoted by volunteers in 2022

£300,000+

value of volunteer time per annum to the charity (based on London Living wage of £10.75).

>>> INCLUSIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE, December 2020

Loved the videos? Get monthly scoops

Thank you to our valued supporters for restoring the harmony
in homes with special needs.

What donors say about us:

“I like that it’s a small charity and I can pop in and see where my money’s going. I went down twice with my kids. It’s very impressive how the young ladies volunteer for nothing. You know that your money goes directly to what you intended, a direct benefit to the end user, whereas sometimes with a bigger charity you don’t have that assurance, because your money is used to cover for staff. I’m very happy about my partnership.”

Joshua Munro

donor

Trusted by:

For 25 years, Step by Step has enhanced the lives of local families with disability in London and across the UK

We provide care,imbue life skills, and grant families respite. Whenever schools are closed.

An oasis of joy

Our Services

Sunday Club

Step To Work

Stay & play

Sports Programme

Holiday Playschemes

Activities & day trips

Musical Performance

Sensory stimulation

What the authorities say about us: