Vital support for charity that tackles addiction and social isolation
1st Step Development Ventures was established in 2018 as a registered charity operating across multiple sites in Linlithgow and Falkirk. Their main focus is on helping and supporting people impacted by addiction, mental health challenges and social isolation. They do this through a host of opportunities that offer individuals a sense of purpose, promote independence and help them believe in their recovery, by bestowing trust through a multitude of community-facing opportunities.
For participants of the service, 1st Step hosts a popular recovery meeting each week where individuals share experiences, useful techniques and have a general catch up. The meetings are held at the Village Hall in Linlithgow which also occupies their community garden where fresh produce is harvested for use at their recovery meetings but also used for their various food pantries. They have formed strong partnerships with the NHS and other public bodies as well as charities who frequently drop in to the meetings and deliver a range of workshops, offer advice and signpost useful services.
They operate across four sites, three in Linlithgow and one in Falkirk. In December 2023, they secured a unit in Howgate Shopping Centre which contains a café and a fully stocked food pantry offering dignified access to high quality food, baby clothing and accessories. There is even a bike workshop and showroom within the unit.
Volunteers and staff members accept donated bikes for the workshop to repair and sell while also donating bikes to support people obtaining employment or to simply get around their community. They have two workshops in Linlithgow and Falkirk that are kitted out with all of the necessary tools and equipment.
Each participant, volunteer or staff member can level up their skills through training, mentorship or vocational qualifications provided by the organisation. If there is an interest in learning new skills 1st Step encourage people to seize the opportunity by funding courses that will enhance personal development and attract employers. They are passionate about the growth of individuals and endeavour to develop people both academically and socially to their full potential.
In 2023, 1st Step was awarded a grant of £20,000 from the SPA Community Benefit Fund to build on its service capacity with the addition of a Recovery and Connection Coordinator and Volunteer Support Worker. These hires enabled 1st Step to grow as they embarked on opening their unit in Falkirk which was an important step in their growth.
The work that 1st Step is involved with is vital for so many people, the opportunity to fund a paid member of staff to enhance the service that the organisation can provide is not only a positive one for the community but also a major victory for the NHS.
At SPA we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to fund such an incredible project that is having an exemplary impact on transforming local people's lives.
Maria Throp, Development Manager from 1st Step said: “SPA has been critical in enabling us to have the capacity and resources to develop much-needed food security and social support in our local communities.
“Importantly, this investment has enabled us to create valuable supported volunteer opportunities with life-changing outcomes.
“Many of our volunteers have reclaimed their lives through gaining a sense of purpose and feeling more connected to their community because they are actively improving the lives of others"
