SOCIAL enterprise Stepping Stones NI has celebrated 20 year supporting people with learning difficulties and learning disabilities to gain meaningful training and employment by scooping two recognitions at the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Business Award.
The charity, which opened its doors in January 1998, was highly commended in the Best Social Enterprise and Best Marketing Campaign categories at the gala event in the La Mon Hotel.
Its marketing manager Ciara Brennan said: “We're delighted with the recognitions up against a lot of competition in the two categories, the high commendations reflect the passion and dedication of all our staff who see the potential in our trainees to achieve independence, qualifications and employment.”
Stepping Stones NI offer support services throughout greater Belfast, Lisburn and across counties Down and Armagh. Its services provide support to gain confidence, skills, qualifications, work experience and paid employment from age 16.
The charity also operates six social enterprises - four cafes, a guild commended picture framing business and a wedding stationery business - which serve as a realistic training platform for clients.
Every penny of trade from the social enterprises is reinvested to support trainees to gain meaningful training and employment.
The wedding stationery business, Pink Elephant Cards, also recently picked up a high commendation at the 2018 NI Wedding Awards.
“Our social enterprises not only provide valuable and realistic training for our clients, but also showcase the talent and quality of product and service our trainees produce to the public and this in turn helps to change perceptions of people with a learning difficulty and learning disability,” Ciara added.
People interested in support can contact acting services manager Claire Humphreys on 028 92 666 404 or email support@stepping-stones.org.uk to find out about tailored support.
The Stepping Stones NI team provide specialist support to people with a range of barriers to learning and employment including people with autism, ADHD and dyslexia.
Stepping Stones NI is part funded though the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and Department for the Economy.
