
Stepping Stones' vision is that "people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties are fully integrated into society". Its mission is to "Support people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties to fulfil their work potential."
It provides these people with the opportunity to advance their skills, training and employability through 7 key services:
1: Transitions Service
2: Training Department
3: Pink Elephant Cards
4: Stepping Stones Coffee Shop
5: Stepping Stones Picture Framing
6: The Avenue Coffee Shop
7: Stepping Stones Employment Service
It provides a positive and innovative pathway to advancing the skills and talents of our trainees and clients. It works hard to provide opportunities that will equip them with the skills and confidence to access community services and employment. In doing all of this we are also able to dispel some myths around learning disability, encourage more integration for those we are helping and show people how capable they actually are.
In the 14 years that the Charity has been in operation it has grown from a service supporting 15 people with learning disabilities per year, to one supporting over 100 people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties annually.
55 clients into paid employment
48 into voluntary jobs
35 Transitions students
315 people have accessed training achieving
370 vocational training courses
Currently at Stepping Stones 2012 - :
90 clients are receiving support to find or keep employment
15 transition students are currently accessing training and work experience placements
41 people receive employment and training support in our Social Enterprises every week.
Achievement of investors in people award in 2011
Winner of best eating establishment in Lisburn (non licensed) 2011 for the avenue coffee shop and 2009 for stepping stones coffee shop
Stepping stones picture framing has been awarded membership of the Fine Art Trade guild
We have been finalists in the Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards, the Belfast Telegraph Make the Difference Awards and the Women in Business awards.
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Please contact the Mayor's Secretary on tel : 028 9250 9331 or email: mayors.secretary@lisburn.gov.uk