Each year, Step by Step supports over 1,500 young people to end and prevent youth homelessness. Last year, the Sleep Out helped accommodate 381 young people who had nowhere else to turn. I am giving up my bed for the night to make a real difference to vulnerable young people. I am sleeping out so that young people don't have to!

What many people don't know is how different things might have turned out for me without the support of the Step by Step Partnership as a young homeless teenager at 16, due to my alcoholic mother. 

When I was 16, a bailiff knocked on our door one morning. Mum hadn’t been paying the rent on our flat and we were thrown out immediately. I sat outside the block of flats waiting but my mum never returned.

I don’t think I can ever put into words how much Step by Step supported me. They gave me structure, care and a sense of belonging. 

Today, I am an Associate Director for a global recruitment company & I am extremely proud to have joined the board of trustees at Step by Step, meaning I am involved in deciding how the charity is run. It is very rare for someone helped by a charity to then become a trustee. I have the opportunity to shape our services to help young people in a similar position to I was when Step by Step helped me.

I have previously recorded a film for Step by Step & have an interview with Step By Step about my experiences; which I would love to share with you - See more at:

Youtube:  https://youtu.be/0QgTE-CMpkQ 

Article: https://www.stepbystep.org.uk/about-us/young-peoples-stories/james-story/