Winter_2018_FINAL.02

Grab a
cuppa and
enjoy the
full version
of our
newsletter
First Step’s Co-Founder
Margaret Williams speaking
at the Anniversary Ball
in October
E-Newsletter 11 December 2018
Telephone: 01708 556355
www.firststep.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter @Firststep1988 Registered Charity Number 1106002
Reg. Company Number 4767369
Incorporated in England & Wales
© 2018 First Step

© Richard Barker
©Richard Barker
Christmas and Year End reflections from our CEO
© Ellie Hoskins
©Ellie Hoskins
© Ellie Hoskins
As I sit here finalising this Winter Newsletter, we are just about to start our Children’s
Christmas Party, which is the last activity that we will run with our children this year.
Over the course of 2018, we have worked with 126 families.
In the summer, 28 children moved on to new settings, 3 went to other nurseries to continue
their learning, 10 children went on to special provisions, 14 children moved on to mainstream
education and 11 left with an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) providing an ongoing
support package.
Countless parents continue to report the huge difference being supported by First Step has
made to their families. A series of articles recently featured in the Romford Recorder shared
the experiences of some of those families and we have included in this newsletter the story
of the Crampton’s and their youngest son Carter who has a rare condition called KCNQ2. I’ll
leave you to read how mum Emma describes about the support she and her family received
from First Step.
Our staff and ever growing team of volunteers (39 at the last count) often speak of how
rewarding it is to see parents and children progress and flourish. We are all so appreciative
of the countless hours of work that our volunteers so generously give, as without their
commitment and generosity of spirit, we would not be able to do all the things we do.
The help and support our families and children receive is only possible because of the
generosity of our supporters – like you, because as you are aware we no longer receive
grant funding from the Local Authority and so virtually all our income is generated from
donations and fundraising.
As I am sure you are aware, 2018 was our 30th Anniversary Year, and there have been
many different events and activities throughout the year, some organised by First Step, and
many others arrange by our supporters. The photographs surrounding this report are of the
30th Anniversary Ball, when in our 30th Year, 300 people came together to mark the occasion
on 30 tables raising over £30,000. Many of those that attended spoke of the very special
atmosphere and spirit that was in the room, and I did have to chuckle that when 1 a.m.
came and the band had to stop playing, and the house lights came up, our revellers continued
dancing to the background music!
We were fortunate to have our Joint Founders present on the night - Gill Hare MBE and
Margaret Williams, and we are truly blessed to still have them both actively involved in
supporting the work of the charity.
Last Friday we had our Christmas Tasty Treats, and we were so glad to have the Hornchurch
Harmonies WI raising money for us through their sales of delicious cakes, and the
Fairlytes Singers who captured the sentiment of the season in two sets of songs to a packed
hall. However, the highlight for me was the children signing to “We wish you a Merry
Christmas”, and it wasn’t only the parents of the children who were blinking away a few
tears. The video has been posted on our Facebook page, and since Friday it has already
had over 1100 views. So, yes, it has been an excellent year in so many ways.
© Richard Barker
© Ellie Hoskins
© Richard Barker

© Ellie Hoskins
© Ellie Hoskins © Ellie Hoskins
But, First Step is still living in challenging times. Every month we are dipping into our reserves to deliver the services we
are providing, and that is something that cannot go on indefinitely.
So what further can I do to help you may ask?
Firstly, by carrying on doing all the things you have been doing for so long by staying in touch, attending events, sharing the
newsletters and other mailings with your circle of contacts. Encourage your friends and family to sign to receive information
and our newsletter, which can easily be done through our website.
Then there are also the following options:-
Take a coin box and encourage all your friends and contacts to do the same
Become one of our growing group of committed givers who give between £5 and £20 each month by standing order
Make a one off donation however large or small – we still have more of the £30 certificates that were sold at the Ball
If you are paying Tax, sign up for Gift Aid which means we can reclaim money back from HMRC
If you are having any special celebrations, consider asking your family and friends to give to First Step in lieu of presents
– just speak to us and we’ll help you set up a Just Giving page to collect the gifts.
When you are buying on Amazon use the smile.amazon.co.uk platform and nominate First Step Opportunity Group as
the organisation you wish to support and then qualifying purchases result in a payment to First Step, and it also works
with your prime membership
There is Give as you Live, www.giveasyoulive.com where when you shop through this platform and nominate First Step
a network of over 4100 online retailers including John Lewis, Tesco, Sainsburys, Boots, Marks & Spencer, Next, Argos,
Debenhams, Ticketmaster, B&Q and Waterstones give to First Step.
When you receive your Christmas presents this year, if there are any new items that are not ideal for you, bring them
into us and we will make good use of them in future raffles or sales
If you would like to do more then I know of two people who set a target to be personally responsible to bring £1000 into the
Charity this year and they both succeeded
When I spoke at the 30th Anniversary Ball I highlighted that we had 300 people in the room and it is likely that each of them
knew at least 100 people, that’s a contact circle of 30,000 people. Amongst the hundreds of people reading this newsletter
are those working in businesses and companies that actively support charities like First Step and we ask you to consider
making an introduction. These corporate relationships could have a huge impact on our income and the sessions we are
able to provide.
Can I ask that each of you reading this join with me in doing everything in your power during 2019 to ensure that families of
children with special needs and or disabilities continue to receive the support and care that is so valuable to them long into
the future.
May I wish you a very happy and healthy festive season, and look forward to seeing you in 2019.
© Richard Barker © Ellie Hoskins © Ellie Hoskins

W
hat is Family P.A.C.C?
Family PACC sessions are currently held at First
Step on Tuesday mornings and funded by
Children in Need.
Learning
through play at
First Step
Developed to support children with social
communication delays and their parents/carers,
the sessions incorporate learning techniques
which can be used at home.
Debbie Bennet, Playroom Leader;
“Family PACC provides a welcoming and non
judgmental environment for parents and their
children. The children are encouraged to learn
through play, socially interact with their peers
and participate in activities to increase their
concentration.
Parents can meet those experiencing similar
situations and provide peer support”.
First Step’s team provide advice, information
and guidance to help empower parents to utilise
strategies and mirror techniques which can help
away from the session.
“There are currently 28 children registered to
attend Family PACC. It is our largest group and
continues to grow.
Some of the children attending Family PACC will
transition into full PACC sessions. These are
regulated by Ofsted and provide a very targeted
environment for the children to continue their
development”,
NEWS….NEWS…..NEWS….
Until late January, First Step is the Bader Grant
Recipient of the Month. The Douglas Bader
Foundation has generously supported First
Step and we are very grateful for their
commitment. Learn more by visiting their
website at www.douglasbaderfoundation.com.
_____________________________________
We are delighted to announce our friends at
The Mercury Mall Shopping Centre Romford
and Romford McDonald’s will be continuing
their support of First Step in 2019. THANK
YOU!
_____________________________________
We would like to thank our partners at Grove &
Dean Insurance and everyone who voted for
First Step in the Aviva Community Fund. We
can confirm First Step is a FINALIST ! The
winner to be announced in January 2019.

Our friends at the Romford Recorder featured this story in
their 16th November 2018 edition (April Roach)
The mother of a three-year-old with a rare genetic condition described a Hornchurch charity that
supports youngsters with disabilities and special needs as “their shoulder to cry on”.
We spoke with the Crampton family whose son Carter, has been attending sessions and events at
the charity for more than three years.
Emma Crampton, found out about First Step through a support worker who was helping the
family after her son began having seizures two days after his birth.
Carter with Father
Christmas at First Step
“Carter was in and out of Queen’s Hospital and the Great Ormond Street Hospital for the first two
years of his life,” said Emma.
“We had lots of support from the hospital, but we needed to be able to go out and socialise with other people. With Carter
it can sometimes be quite awkward going to regular children groups.”
Carter has a condition known as KCNQ2. It’s a rare condition linked to epilepsy and children who have the condition
often have some degree of developmental impairment after their diagnosis.
Emma told the Recorder: “Carter used to go to a family session at First Step. I was able to also take his brother along to
play with him which was really nice. It was also good to meet other families and children that are in a similar situation
to us.
“In the holidays they provide activities for children and siblings to take part in activities like biscuit making and arts
and crafts. First Step used to offer massages and counselling sessions. There is no other place in the borough like them
and they’re always really helpful if we need advice.”
Since discovering First Step, Carter has enjoyed spending time in their special sensory room and their preschool activities
which have been preparing him to start school next year in September.
Speaking about starting school, Emma said: “I’m quite worried, because we’ve always had First Step’s support.
“They’ve been so wonderful that we go to a new school, we’re definitely going to miss them.”
The mother-of-three added: “I feel like as they have got to know Carter so well, they know what his strengths are and
are able to anticipate his needs.
“When we pull up in the car park, Carter always recognises that we’re at First Step and he starts smiling.
“They are just so understanding and they really are a shoulder to cry on. They will help you in anyway they can.
“He knows all of the ladies there, especially Debbie Bennett.”
Emma noted that more needs to be done in Havering in terms of accessibility for families and children with special needs
and disabilities.
She said: “I have major issues when I’m taking Carter out for the day. Some places still don’t have disabled toilets big
enough for me and him to use. Whereas everything at First Step is so well thought-out to meet our needs. Before we
went [to the charity] I was quite apprehensive, but when we arrived it was such a happy place to be. The other parents
were all in the same position as us and I’ve got a really good friendship group from there.
I don’t know what we would have done without First Step.”
Mark, Carter, Ollie, Finley and mum Emma
Baby Carter
Cater with his brothers Finley and Ollie

Please help us to continue to
support babies and young children
with special needs and/or
disabilities, and their families.
A regular donation from as little as
£5 per month, can make a real
difference.
Monthly giving is a trusted and
time efficient way to donate.
If you are interested to learn more
please call Michelle or Janet on
01708 556355.
“Thank you for all your
help and support….you
have helped make such a
change in our lives and
we are so lucky to be
able to bring him here.
You are all so amazing!”
You can now keep up to date with
First Step on social media —
videos, photos, news and stories.
Click on the icons at the bottom of
your email and LIKE or FOLLOW
to stay in touch.

Thank you to everyone who has supported First Step in 2018 —
our very special 30th Anniversary year.
The Thurrock Male Voice Choir
concert in January
Monthly Tasty Treats events
The Parent’s
garden in March
The Mayor opens International
Women’s Day event in March
Our inaugural Fishing Fundraiser in April
Easter Egg donation
Our Virgin London
Marathon runners
raised over £14,000
#millionsteps at
The Mercury Mall
in May
The Grove & Dean Step 2IT
5K in June
Havering Volunteers Fair
in June
Summer volunteer day with the team
from HSBC
Upminster Golf Club ladies
Choir joined us at Treats in
July
Bandeoke in July
The essential but costly
hall floor replacement in
August
The Christmas concert in December
The Anniversary Golf Day in September
The Ball in October