Stepping Stones
A team of seven Stepping Stones Project Workers support young people based on their personal needs, helping them to achieve their full potential and to develop skills through non-formal education activities within a universal youth work setting.
Project Workers support young people by offering:
- Focused one-to-one support
- Targeted small group sessions and activities
- Joint activities with youth groups across the Scottish Borders
- Training and volunteering opportunities
- Youth Achievement Awards
Stepping Stones is not time-limited, allowing each young person to engage in conversation and activities which interest them, for as long as they need. Stepping Stones Project Workers can provide additional focused support time with individual young people in addition to their participation in universal youth work activities. This additional focus includes setting and reviewing personal goals with the young person.
Who takes part?
Young people take part in this project if they need support on topics such as emotional heath, wellbeing, confidence, transition, anxiety, risk-taking, life-skills, and relationships.
Young people who are part of Stepping Stones:
- Have an increased ability to express their point of view with other people.
- Know where to go to access trusted information to help make informed choices.
- Can use their skills and experience to better cope with life’s challenges.
- Say their confidence has increased.
- Consider the potential risks before making choices about where to go and what to do.
Feedback from Stepping Stones young people:
This project gave me hope. [Project Worker] believed in me, always. We all need a cheerleader at times to remind us we are worthy and capable.
I feel like we’ve changed my life together.
I like being a part of Stepping Stones as it's really good to talk to someone that talks to me like a human and not like I am stupid. You are always there to support me and I know I can always count on you.
It helped so much that you just listen without judgement.
This project helped improve so many different parts of my life – relationship with my family, recognising toxic relationships. understanding my health and mental health better, accepting help, CV writing and interview skills, finding a job I really wanted.
How Can a Young Person Get Involved?
Stepping Stones works alongside schools, social work, and other youth and community-based organisations to ensure support is focused on those who need it most. Young people can get involved by contacting the Stepping Stones Project Worker in their area or can be introduced to Stepping Stones by a trusted adult (teacher, nurse, parent etc.).
If a young person is under 16, a parent or legal guardian will be asked to complete a registration form which they will receive from their Project Worker.
| Youth Organisation | Locality (Catchment of the following high schools) | Project Worker | Email Address | Telephone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond Earlston | Earlston | Nicole Hume | nicole@beyondearlston.org.uk | 07856094107 |
| Cheviot Youth | Kelso and Jedburgh | Kelly Talbot | kellytalbot@cheviotyouth.co.uk | 01573228285 |
| Connect Berwickshire Youth Project | Duns & Coldstream | Jason Mackinnon | jason@bypconnect.com | 01361884198 |
| Connect Berwickshire Youth Project | Eyemouth | Ali Sim | steppingstones@bypconnect.com | 01361884198 |
| Escape Youth Services | Hawick | TBA | - | 01450378001 |
| Rowlands (Selkirk) | Selkirk | Sue Barclay | sue@rowlands-selkirk.org.uk | 07379029831 |
| TD1 Youth Hub | Galashiels | Rosie Mitchell | rosie@td1.org.uk | 01896752442 |
| Tweeddale Youth Action | Peebles | Fiona Dempster | fiona@tweeddaleyouth.co.uk | 07547423728 |
Stepping Stones is developed and run by the award-winning Scottish Borders Youth Work Partnership. The project has been funded by National Lottery Community Fund since 2018. The Youth Work Partnership is made up of seven lead locality based universal youth groups, together with YouthBorders.
Contact us for further information about Stepping Stones or the Scottish Borders Youth Work Partnership. Alternatively, you can read the Stepping Stones Impact Reports.
