by John Harris | Oct 14, 2026 | news
The result: John has worked with Step by Step fundraisers for a couple of years now – in a mentoring role with their fundraisers. Having worked through a long and detailed BBC Children in Need application we have just been informed that this was successful to the tune of £97,000 over three years. This is a huge result – given the dire fundraising situation in the UK right now. Who Step by Step support: Step by Step support a diverse user base of 220 children with disabilities that span a spectrum of physical,emotional, learning, and mental impairments. These impairments include but are not limited to spina bifida, global development delay, Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, and other complex conditions. Due to their multiple disabilities, our children face many issues and barriers. What the funding supports: The funding will support the Stay’n’Play after-school club Monday to Thursday from 3:30-6:30 for 43 children with disabilities ages 3-18. The children arrive straight from school to the Hub and participate in a range of calm though to stimulating activities. They serve a hot, nourishing supper cooked onsite daily. Users are supported by volunteer carers whilst team leaders ensure that sessions run smoothly. Stay’n’Play takes place everyday after school throughout term time,45 weeks a year. They serve a nutritious balanced supper of veg soup, protein, starch and cooked veg. A variety of cut up fruit and vegetables is on hand for snacks throughout the session. The difference this makes: they support children to enjoy mealtimes (which can be stressful at home) as well as being able to eat independently and learning table manners and using cutlery. The sessions offer the chance to make new friends along with the support of a trained volunteer thus reducing isolation,advancing social skills and improving emotional health. Sessions are children led as much as possible.Their voice is asked for, heard & acted upon. They choose which game or activity they’d like to play (or don’t want to), which song should be sung during circle time, how to fill up free-play time, their seat and which food to eat for supper.
