First Step Trust News

January 2012

2012 Gets Off To A Good Start
FST Enfield received a surprise gift from Santa when they were selected by local business, Network Voice & Data Ltd, to receive the donation they make each year to a local charity of their choice.
Roy Hutson, manager at FST Enfield said: "This is a fantastic start to the New Year. All of us at FST would like to thank Network Voice and Data for their kind generosity – we promise to put it to good use. We value our relationships with Enfield's business community and this is excellent support for the work we do."

October 2011

Positive Action Awards 2011

FST's Positive Action Awards were held on 13 October 2011. FST was delighted to have Stella English, winner of The Apprentice host the evening and present the Awards. The event took place in an unlikely venue – FST's brand new social enterprise, an MOT and garage service centre in Woolwich, SE London. It was probably the first time most of the guests had sat down to a three course dinner in a garage. Greenwich Mayor, Jim Gillman, who attended the event said: "It was a wonderful evening which showcased the garage and celebrated the hard work of people who have struggled against the odds to get back into work."
Full Details and photos

September 2011

MP visits FST Bexley
David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, visited First Step Trust (FST) in Welling, on 16 September. Mr Evennett met Warren Cox, the Bexley Project Manager, to find out more about the training and employment opportunities offered to people with mental health conditions or other disadvantages, who want to get back to work.
FST Bexley offers work opportunities in painting and decorating, gardening and grounds maintenance, contract cleaning and office administration. 
Mr Evennett said "I was impressed with the innovative and engaging way in which FST Bexley teaches people new skills and helps them get into work. I believe that their project provides real benefits to those who might otherwise find it difficult to find a job. I wish them continued success".

Warren Cox and Mr Evennett are pictured below, together with workforce members.

July 2011

FST workforce member, Michael, has won an award from the renowned Capel Manor College .
Michael joined FST after several years moving around the country and spending some time in prison. Michael is a welder by trade but, having been out of work for five years, he decided to give horticulture a go and FST signed him up for an NVQ at Capel Manor, specialists in horticulture. His lecturer said how committed he had been to his work from day one and how supportive he was towards others. This was mirrored by the peer support he gave fellow workforce members in the FST office. Michael's Lecturer, Wanda Grzegorczyk said: "Michael has been just brilliant. Attendance, commitment, helping others and a great class member." 
 
Michael said: "I am blown away by receiving this award. I have had a difficult few years but feel like I'm getting my life back on track. FST has given me the structure, support and opportunities to make this happen."

May 2011

FST strikes lucky with championship tickets
Workers at FST's SMaRT garage in Salford, couldn't believe their luck when an anonymous donor gave them five top class tickets for the FA Cup Final at Wembley. SMaRT Garage Manager, Simon Hand, headed up the FST team who travelled to London to see Manchester City beat Stoke City. Simon said "It was amazing to be there. We had a fantastic day out. Our sales figures for SMaRT last month were our best ever so we feel like we're heading for the premier league too! We would like to thank our donors for their generosity."
SMaRT Garage Services is an FST social enterprise providing MOT and car repairs to private and business customers in Salford, Greater Manchester. Not only does SMaRT score well with its customers, it is also providing local people who have been out of the workplace with an opportunity to get back on form and develop the skills and positive attitudes to find employment. FST is building on SMaRT's success and due to open two new garages in London.

March 2011

First Step Trust Workforce Scoops Recovery Awards'
David Burrowes MP for Enfield Southgate, presented three FST Enfield workforce members with Community Recovery Champion Awards in recognition of the achievements they have made towards their own recovery and the invaluable support they have given others learning to manage their mental health.

Karen Barnes (left), Duane Green (middle) and Kevin Hanlon (right) found the experience of working at FST Enfield, a tremendous boost to their recovery.  Karen said: 'I'm a different person since I came to work at FST. I feel like I'm managing my life a lot more. I supervise the office and answer calls from customers as well as referrers and people interested in joining FST. Before I couldn't talk on a telephone and now I talk all the time. I tell people about this because it reminds me of how far I've come."
 
David Burrowes MP said "It was a real privilege to present the Recovery Champion Awards to individuals who have made a huge difference in their own lives and others in the pursuit of recovery. The aim of the evening was to show that recovery is visible and contagious and that was certainly achieved."
 
The awards were organised by Enfield's Good Samaritan Network .

17 Dec 2010

Christmas comes early for Carolyn!

Nick Raynsford, MP presented FST’s first mechanic at their new SMaRT garage service centre, Woolwich, London with her first professional mechanics set. Nick Raynsford said: “FST has done a magnificent job over the years creating job opportunities and this new venture is a further example of their imaginative approach to helping local people to acquire skills and training. I am sure that SMaRT Garage Services will prove a great success and will provide a really useful local facility.”
FST press release (PDF)

18 Nov 2010

Enterprising Greenwich Charity Meets Minister

First Step Trust (FST) was delighted to meet Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, at an event to celebrate Social Enterprise Week held by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

FST press release (PDF)

25 May 2010

Work can play a vital role in tackling loneliness and social exclusion

FST welcomes the Mental Health Foundation’s report, ‘The Lonely Society’, which draws attention to the extent of loneliness within our society and its impact on mental wellbeing. The Report points to the fact that those experiencing mental health difficulties are one of the groups most at risk. Busy working lives are seen as one factor behind the increase in loneliness however, FST believes that for those people with long-term mental health problems, of whom only 10% are in work, employment can play a major part in the recovery process.

FST press release (PDF)
Lonely Society – a report by the Mental Health Foundation

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