First Step Trust News
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
7 December 2009
Urgent Need to Step Up Efforts to Support People with Mental Health Conditions Back into the Workplace Says Mental Health Charity
“People with mental health conditions need improved support to access work” said Ronnie Wilson, MBE and First Step Trust (FST) Chief Executive, on the day that the DWP publishes the Perkins Review ‘Realising ambitions: Better employment support for people with a mental health condition.’
More details (PDF)
13 November 2009
MP visits London project
On 13th November, the Rt Hon Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North, visited FST Enfield to find out more about the project. Joan said “FST Enfield is an excellent example of a project providing work opportunities to help people with mental health problems recover and regain control of their lives. Work and the benefits it brings, should be accessible to all members of the community.” Roy Hutson, FST Manager said “we were delighted to meet Joan and were extremely encouraged by her support for people with mental health issues.”
November 2009
Time Out Gives Abbevilles Thumbs Up in New Guide
Time Out’s latest ‘Cheap Eats in London’ describes Abbevilles as offering ‘swanky Claphamite cuisine at bargain-basement Brixton prices.’ The reviewer praised the simplicity of the menu and quality of the food along with the ‘eager to please’ service.
25 September 2009
Mayor Launches Sheffield’s SMaRT Venue Coffee Shop
As Britain lifts out of recession is the launch of Sheffield’s SMaRT Venue coffee shop a creative example of how commercial and social interests can work side by side to bring a breath of fresh air to the world of business?
Download press release (PDF)
July 2009
Abbevilles Featured in SLAM’s Annual Report
Abbevilles workforce member, Godfried Dapaah, is featured in this year’s annual report from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM). Referred by SLAM, Godfried took up a work placement at FST’s restaurant and outside catering business in Clapham and hasn’t looked back. He now says: “I feel like I’m finally on the right road. My main goal is to open a restaurant of my own one day.” SLAM Annual Report 2008/9 (PDF)
10 July 2009
First Step Trust 2009 Annual Dinner and Awards for Positive Action
Guests packed Charlton House, Greenwich, for First Step Trust’s Annual Dinner and Awards for Positive Action ceremony. Among the attendees were key decision-makers within NHS and local authorities, FST staff and workforce members from across the country.
More details
March 2009
SMaRT Women
FST’s garage project in Salford offers free courses on basic car maintenance to women.
December 2008
Big Lottery captures SMaRT’s success on film
A short film about First Step Trust’s SMaRT project in Salford, Greater Manchester, was launched on the Big Lottery’s new ‘Big Thinking’ website. The new site is designed to give the public a say about what the Big Lottery should fund. To help people make up their minds, Big Lottery is showcasing some of the very best projects and FST’s SMaRT garage service centre was selected from over 100 other Big Lottery-funded schemes. The three minute film focuses on SMaRT’s positive impact on the lives of three of its workforce members.
November 2008
Evaluation shows First Step Trust’s ‘on the job’ training model delivers results
FST has published the results of an independent evaluation of it’s SMaRT project in Salford, Greater Manchester. Set up in 2005 to support the long-term unemployed including those with mental health problems, get back in to work, the report demonstrated that FST’s unique approach of learning ‘on the job’ has had a positive impact on the employability of those hardest to reach groups.
Download report summary [PDF]
Download full report [PDF]
New film outlines the FST’s work
A new film (12 mins) commissioned by FST provides an honest insight into the work of the charity. Hear from workforce members who have seized the opportunities FST provides and the management team committed to supporting people with mental health problems and other disadvantages back into work. The film also includes a contribution from the National Director for Health and Work, Dame Carol Black.
Dame Carol Black – On the value of work [Video Clip on YouTube]
Dame Carol Black – First Step Trust [Video Clip on YouTube]
October 2008
World Mental Health Day 2008 – local charity supports people with mental health problems get back to work
Each year, between 900,000 and 1.8 million adults in the UK will experience severe mental health problems. World Mental Health Day is taking place on 10th October but for local charity, First Step Trust, everyday is a day to treat people living with mental health issues with dignity and help them to help themselves overcome stigma and prejudice.
Download press release [PDF]
September 2008
First Step Trust workforce in media spotlight
Workforce member, Anna, explained to Manchester’s Channel M TV, what she’s got out of working at FST’s SMaRT project in Salford. The first workforce member to achieve a City and Guilds qualification in automotive technology Anna says ‘coming here has given me so much, it’s got me out of bed in the morning. I’ve got the confidence to do things – I’m dealing with customers on a day to day basis. Nothing really fazes me now!’
View Anna’s interview
June 2008
Charity restaurant scores 4 on the door for food hygiene
A restaurant staffed by people with mental health problems and learning difficulties has won a top rating award for food safety. First Step Trust’s Abbevilles restaurant and catering business, based in Clapham Park Road, has been awarded four stars in the food safety ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme run by Lambeth Council. This new nationwide scheme gives customers the chance to check a restaurant’s food safety rating BEFORE they enter the premises.
Download press release [PDF]
January 2008
Government’s advisor on work and health is First Step Trust’s AGM’s guest of honour
FST celebrated another successful year at the Charlton House Assembly Rooms in the London Borough of Greenwich. Attendance hit almost 200 as workforce members from all over the country mingled with funders and other FST supporters. FST was delighted to have as Dame Carol Black, the Government’s National Director for Health and Work, deliver the keynote speech and present FST’s Positive Action.
December 2007
A million reasons to feel better
FST’s Business Development Director, Peter Barnard radiated good health when he received a generous cheque for £46,336.26 from Simplyhealth’s John Mambe. Ronnie Wilson, FST’s Joint CEO said ‘The people we work with have often experienced years of isolation and exclusion. They take their own first step towards recovery when they join one of our projects. Donations like this one remind our people that there are a lot of people out there who want to see them succeed.’
September 2007
Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government visits SMaRT
First Step Trust’s environmental initiative in Salford, designed to help people return to the workplace, has won plaudits from the Government. Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, heaped praise on the work done by the FST’s innovative SMaRT venture during a day she spent rolling up her sleeves and working with the team responsible for vehicle maintenance. Three members of the SMaRT workforce were also delighted to receive Special Achievement Awards from the Minister. More info
January 2007
Everyone deserves the benefits that works brings
Guest speaker, Angela Greatley, Chief Executive of the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, raised an issue close to FST’s heart - that, in the drive to move people into mainstream employment we mustn’t lose sight of the importance of work for those for whom paid employment is a distant prospect. Angela was joined by local councillor, David Grant and representatives from Oxleas NHS Trust and over 150 workforce members from our projects across the country.
October 2006
First Step Trust wins award from international literary prize sponsor
FST was the recipient of a generous donation from the Man Group plc, one of the world’s largest futures brokers and sponsors of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. Debbie Styer and Lisa Clarke, representatives of the Man Group Charitable Trust, handed over a cheque for £25,000 to Carole Furnivall, FST’s Joint CEO, following a tour of FST projects. The three then rounded off the event with a delicious lunch at FST Abbevilles’ restaurant in Clapham, south London.
In July 2007 Man Group plc followed up their generosity with a further £50,000 spread over 2007 and 2008.
December 2006
The Guardian newspaper picks First Step Trust for its Christmas appeal
FST is one of the charities chosen for The Guardian Christmas Appeal which aims to raise awareness of the issues around mental health and raise vital funds for a consortium of eight mental health charities. FST was chosen because it provides people with mental health problems or other disadvantages with the means to stay well and keep busy and supports them to learn new skills and build for a positive future.
More info
March 2006
First Step Trust featured in a report on mental health from New Philanthropy Capital
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), independent advisers to potential donors, have produced a report called ‘Don't mind me: Adults with mental health problems, A guide for donors and funders’. The report is designed to explain the issues around mental health and how donors can use their funds most effectively. FST is featured as a charity providing sheltered employment. FST is listed as one of NPC’s recommended charities. Download report (note: you will need to register to download document):