1. family and parenting

First Step E-Newsletter 4
April 2015
News
Stories
Fundraising
Meet the team
Events
How You can
Help
First Step, Tangmere Crescent,
Hornchurch RM12 5PP
Telephone: 01708 556355
www.firststep.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1106002
Reg. Company Number 4767369
@firststep1988
Incorporated in England & Wales
Supporting children and families
every step of the way
W
elcome to our latest
newsletter.
As I explained in the
Newsletter issued last
September, I was asked
to return to First Step as Interim Chief
Executive Officer, having retired in
2012, after working here for 22 years.
It is now time for me to step down and I
am delighted to announce that we have
appointed a new CEO, Mark Halls, who
will be joining the team from Monday
20th April.
Mark has a wealth of experience and I
know that he will utilise this to ensure
First Step continues to provide a caring
and supportive service, to all the families
that attend.
I will, until the end of the month, be at
First Step helping Mark to settle in.
I have enjoyed the past few months,
especially meeting new families and
ones that were at First Step prior to my
retirement, catching up with
ex- colleagues— I have certainly been
kept busy!
I will be able to go back to enjoying
‘retirement’ and to my former role as a
Trustee at First Step. I can assure you
that I will continue to support Mark and
the team ensuring that the aims,
objectives and ethos of this special place
are maintained.
Since the last Newsletter, we have
welcomed new members to the team,
Debbie Stockwell, Play Leader, Clare
Kelly, Volunteer Coordinator, Helen
Odejimi, Student Social Worker, Allie
Marchington, Bus Escort & Services
Support and new volunteers Rose
McClellan, Paul Hutchinson and
Heulwen Evans.
We have held successful Sib Clubs and
are delighted to announce we have
secured funding for additional Sib Clubs
until March 2016.
The year ahead will be a financially
challenging period for First Step.
We are working hard to develop sustainable,
needs led, effective and dynamic services
which support children with special needs
and/or disabilities, and their families.
With your help we seek to not only meet
these needs, but increase our services,
reduce waiting lists and ensure every family
has contact, access and support when they
need it.
We hope you find our newsletter interesting
and please feel free to email your feedback
to [email protected].
With good wishes,
Gill Webb
Gill Webb
Charlotte Dickens
Janet Hutchinson
Michelle Mitchell
James Nyamayaro
Debbie Bennett
Clare Kelly
Debbie Stockwell
Sharon Everest
Kim Watson
Kelly Spencer
Alison Denyer
Lisa Drake
Kaylie Cracknell
Lorna Conlan
Sarah Bennett
Emeline Hanson
Aimee Neale
Caroline Hood
John Andrews
Allie Marchington
Cecile Saunders
Sue Ebsworth
Interim CEO
[email protected]
Service Manager
[email protected]
Office Manager
[email protected]
Fundraising Manager
[email protected]
Finance Officer
[email protected]
Senior Play Leader
Volunteer Coordinator
Play Leader
Play Leader
Deputy Play Leader
Play worker
Play worker
Play worker
Play worker
Play worker
Play worker
Counsellor
Music Therapist
Receptionist
Bus Driver & Maintenance
Bus Escort/Services Support
Cleaner
Caretaker
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FIRSTSTEP1988
Time in the Sensory Room
Name: Debbie Stockwell
Age: 37 and getting younger!
Debbie started with First Step a month ago and has quickly
become a very valuable part of the team. Debbie oversees
both of the Playrooms and delivery of the educational
services, i.e Playgroup and PACC and the
implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Messy Play
What’s the favourite part of your job?
It’s getting to know each and every child and their family.
Helping the children develop through play and making their
time at First Step enjoyable.
What are your hobbies?
I have a few hobbies, including reading, family bowling
outings, walking my dogs and trying new things—especially
creatively cooking for my children!
What is your favourite holiday destination?
My favourite holiday destination is South Cornwall. I
thoroughly enjoy long, coastal path walks with my husband,
5 children and 3 dogs.
Outdoor Play
Tell us something about yourself
I love shopping and finding a really good bargain!
The ‘Parent’s Room’ at First Step is open to
all registered families, Monday to Friday
during term time, between 9.30am and
3.30pm. Come and share a coffee and a chat
in friendly, welcoming surroundings.
You can text a donation to First Step
You will not be charged by your mobile phone provider for the text and 100% of your donation goes to
First Step. No texts will be removed from your allowance. To donate simply text ‘STEP14’ then a
space and ‘£5’ to 70070 to donate £5. You can change the amount to £1, £2, £3, £4 or £10. You must
be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. Thank you!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FIRSTSTEP1988
First Step Quiz Night - Saturday 4th July - call 01708 556355 to book
Meet our new
Play Leader
Thank you to our friends at Kerneos Limited in
Thurrock, who raised £2062 for First Step over
the last 12 months.
The company’s fundraising was creative and
diverse, including a raffle, pool competition, a
charity challenge undertaken by the
management team and donating monies from
the sale of a cherry picker!
Marcin Orman, Production Manager at
Kerneos, will also be taking part in the British
London 10K, raising funds for First Step, in
July.
The First Step
Golf Day, in
association with
Frontier Voice & Data
Ltd
We are delighted to announce our friends at Frontier
Voice & Data Ltd will be supporting our golf day again
this year. For 2015, we will be at Upminster Golf Club,
on Wednesday 16th September. The event provides
the perfect opportunity to enjoy a round of golf on a
superb course, with excellent hospitality and dining
facilities, in a 17th century Grade II listed Clubhouse.
Peter Southgate, Managing Director at Frontier Voice
& Data Ltd said, “we are extremely proud to offer our
support to First Step for the second year running in
sponsoring their golf day. These events, whilst to
some are just a fun day out, are in fact a critical source
of income to charities like First Step who rely on the
generosity of the community to continue to function
and provide a critical resource to those that need it”
Michael Thornton, Sales & Marketing Director at Frontier added, “The team at First Step do such a great job,
if Peter and I get a day out playing golf and have some
fun and the nett result is we help to raise much needed
funds for First Step then, let’s play golf a lot more”
To book and for further details please call 01708
556355.
Sharon, James, Georgia and Taylor started at First Step in
2000. Initially they attended Family sessions, then Georgia
went to Play Group. Georgia had been referred to the
group by a Portage worker.
Sharon, Georgia’s mum,
“We were not sure what to expect on our first day 15 years ago or what to think about First Step –
was it going to be formal and intimidating and not for us?
But from the start it was so welcoming and friendly and the support from the staff was amazing.
At First Step I met other parents who could understand and relate to what was happening to us and
to what I was saying. One of the parent’s I met was Karen and her son Finlay. We quickly became
good friends along with other parents from our sessions.
Georgia and Finlay attended sessions which enabled me and my husband James and Karen to
spend time in the Parent’s room. This was a really big thing for us all. We trusted the staff at First
Step with our children and knew they were being looked after and cared for and it was ok to leave
them. In the Parent’s Room we were able to chat and made friends which we have kept to this day
and our own friendship grew stronger- and I know they’ll be lifelong friends.
Sometimes, we would be sharing what had happened to us and someone else would say what they
were going through and we would share stories and laugh so much – that might be difficult to
understand but being able to talk so honestly and openly to people who understood made such a
difference.
Our husbands James and Jim and our other children Taylor and Luke met and we all got on so
well, we have remained very close and we have holidayed together in both Spain and America.
We are also planning a trip to Las Vegas when the children are old enough.
After attending First Step we felt confident to refer other families there. We knew they would
receive the same warm welcome, excellent advice and support and they would meet people who
would be going through similar or the same experiences”.
We are extremely
proud of our
dedicated team
here at First Step.
We all strive to
provide a warm
welcome and
understanding,
professionalism
and proactivity.
The Play Team
and therapists, pictured right, deliver our sessions to the children
and provide support to their families.
Their commitment to excellence helps First Step to achieve it’s
mission:
To provide the best possible environment to
support each family and to enable their very
young children with special needs and/or
disabilities to maximise their individual potential.
Thank you to Zizzi Ristorante
in Hornchurch for holding a
coffee morning, as part of
‘Fundraise on the First’.
Their first one, held on
Monday 13th April, was very
successful and raised over
£270.
The restaurant will be
holding regular coffee
mornings, in aid of First
Step, from 9.30am to
11.30am on:
Monday 4th May, Monday
1st June, Monday 6th July
and Monday 3rd August
2015.
We are delighted to
be the nominated
charity of the
Romford Recorder
for 2015.
We are working
together to raise
awareness of First
Step and encourage
our local community to
‘Fundraise on the 1st’.
To download your fundraising pack please
visit:
Learning through play in the mutil-sensory Room
www.firststep.org.uk/fundraising/
Please remember to let the Romford
Recorder know of your plans to help
maximise your fundraising; call Beth on
0208 478 4444. To find out more about
Fundraise on the First, please visit:
www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/first-step
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Hornchurch
& Upminster, Upminster 41 Club, Havering
East Rotary Club and The Romford Lions
Club for their continued commitment,
support and dedication to helping
First Step achieve its mission.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FIRSTSTEP1988
How You Can Help
Items you could donate:

Office Stationary

New batteries

Foreign coins/old currency

Clothes

Unopened toiletries

Raffle prizes

DIY store vouchers

Supermarket vouchers

Dust bin bags

Unopened packets of A4
photocopying paper
Please call us on 01708 556355
for details of how you can make
your donation.
W
e are delighted to announce our status as
Charity of the Year, by Romford based company
Grove & Dean. Hannah Thompson from Grove &
Dean said,
“Grove and Dean recognise the valuable role that First Step play in
the local community. The services and support they provide to these
young children and their families is crucial and as such we are very
proud to have nominated First Step as our charity partner for the next
2 years.
As a local fundraiser our staff also benefit hugely. Not only do they
gain a sense of pride in supporting a fantastic local charity but they
also enjoy participating in office fundraising events such as quiz
nights, book sales, raffles, sponsored activities and cake sales.
It also gives us an opportunity to generate some light hearted
competition within the office. Our upcoming Easter Bake Off is a
prime example with proceeds from cake sales being raised for First
Step”. Thank you to our friends at Grove & Dean!
Standing orders are an efficient and simple way to make a regular donation.
From just £3 a month, you can help us deliver our services to families in
your community. Please call us on 01708 556355 for further information.
W
e are currently seeking new
Trustees and need people
with a willingness to work as
part of a team to oversee and encourage
the future development of First Step.
Trustees must work with integrity, objectivity and
openness and be able attend regular evening
meetings every 4-6 weeks and occasional
daytime ones.
Although Trustees are unpaid volunteers, First
Step can cover travel and training expenses. We
are looking for people with life experiences that
are of benefit to First Step. Specifically we are
seeking people with professional skills including
finance, human resources, law, strategic
management, communications, fundraising and
past or present parents or users of First Step.
If anyone wishes to discuss this further, please
contact:
Gill Webb: [email protected] or
Margaret Williams: [email protected]
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FIRSTSTEP1988
Table Tennis Team Event
friends, colleagues & family teams welcome
Join us on Tuesday 26th May at 6.45pm for a
Table Tennis Team event. 12 teams of 3
players will compete for the coveted ‘Winner’
and ‘Team’ trophies, at this inaugural First
Step fundraising event. The evening
activity will take place at the Coopers’
Good luck to Tom (pictured),
Joe, Archie and all the other
runners who will be taking
part in the Virgin London
Marathon on Sunday 26th
April, raising money for First
Step. We thank you
sincerely for your
commitment and
dedication. Please remember
to give them a wave as they pass!
Company & Coborn School, Upminster.
The event is also supported by The Romford &
District Table Tennis League, who have
generously donated their time, expertise and
equipment free of charge to help make the
evening a success. Entrance is £75 per team
(3 players) and clubs, companies and groups
of friends welcome. All equipment will be
included. Corporate teams in branded t-shirts
welcome! Please call 01708 556355 or email
[email protected] to reserve your
place.
Thank you to our friends at
Catlin Group for their support
throughout 2014
Catlin and it’s London based employees contributed
over £100,000 to First Step in 2014 and we are
extremely grateful for their wonderful support.
First Step was chosen as ‘Charity Partner of the
Year 2014’ by Catlin Group’s London based
employees. Vanya Harris, Head of Corporate
Responsibility said, “During our partnership with
First Step we had the privilege to work with some
truly talented and passionate people delivering a
marvellous service to children and families. We
offered business, financial and practical support and
hope to keep in touch in the future.”
Michelle Mitchell, Fundraising Manager for First
Step,
Exploring the tunnel
“Our partnership with Catlin has been so rewarding,
in many ways. Working with Vanya and the CR
team afforded new opportunities throughout the
year, including an introduction to the Kindness
Offensive. David Goodfellow, co-founder of the
Kindness Offensive, coordinated a huge toy
donation across London and First Step was just one
of the organisations to benefit from a substantial
donation.
Our relationship with Catlin is very valued and we
thank them sincerely for their creativity, knowledge,
and commitment”.
Play time in the
garden
The Kindness Offensive in action
David Lloyd Gidea Park is holding a Zumbathon
in aid of First Step, on Saturday 25th April, from
6-9pm. Attendees can join in for 10 minutes or
the full 3 hours, with 50% of ticket monies being
donated to First Step. Four instructors will each
take a 45 class and David Lloyd organisers
hope to attract over 200 people wanting to
dance, exercise and have fun. Tickets are £5
(members), £6 (non members) and children
under 12 are free. Please call 01708 463250
for more details. Pay on the night or prepay.
___________________________________
Our next bag packing days at Sainsburys in
Hornchurch are Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd
May. If you are able to offer support, whether
30 minutes or 3 hours, please call our
fundraising department on 01708 556355.
Please help us to maximise this wonderful
opportunity to raise funds and awareness.
____________________________________
Pop into Tasty
Treats Tea Room in the
hall at First Step on Friday 24th April & Friday
29th May, for hot & cold refreshments and
delicious cakes. Tasty Treats is a great
opportunity to meet up with friends (both old &
new) whilst supporting First Step.
We will also be holding a Volunteers Open Day
along side Tasty Treats in May, for those
wanting to learn a little more about the charity
and how they could donate their time, skills and
experience to help us. Open from 9am until
12.30pm. Please call Clare on 01708 556355
for more details.
_____________________________________
First Step’s next quiz night will be on Saturday
4th July, in the hall at Tangmere Crescent.
Teams of 10 max. and £6 per person — please
feel free to bring your own drinks and nibbles.
We are delighted to welcome back excellent
quiz masters Keith and Rosemary Kew, who
have supported First Step for many years.
Please call 01708 556355 to reserve your table.
Quizzes are very popular so please call early to
avoid disappointment.
_____________________________________
Thank you to everyone who helps to
support, strengthen and sustain First Step.
It costs over £500,000 p.a. to run the
charity and challenging financial times are
being met with optimism, creativity,
flexibility and determination.