Trainees at Stepping Stones enjoyed canoeing, archery and orienteering with Life One Great Adventure at Castlewellan Forest Park.

Pink Elephant Cards will be exhibiting at The Wedding Extravaganza Show, The Odyssey on 3rd-5th September http://www.weddingextravaganza.co.uk/. Visit us at our stand no. F8 to view our Handmade Wedding Stationery. We look forward to seeing you there. 

STEPPING Stones NI, a charity based in Lisburn, have celebrated the first year of their new Transition Service, which helps young people make the move from school to the workplace.

The new transitions service is specifically for young people with learning disabilities and difficulties who are still at school.

Working closely with both special and mainstream schools in the Lisburn area the Transitions Service assists young people with learning disabilities and difficulties, and the people involved in their lives, make informed decisions about the right move after school.

“Stepping Stones continues to provide many excellent services to a number of SEELB Statemented pupils, whether it is assisting them to gain various skills and experience or aid their development into adult life and make their goals a reality,” explained Gary Harpur, SEELB Transitions Co-coordinator.

In its first year the Stepping Stones Transitions Service has supported over 20 young people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties to do just that.

Through the service students have been supported on work experience placements in local restaurants/cafes, architect’s offices, a solicitors practice and retail outlets to name but a few.

Local employer Christine Reid of Reid & Co Solicitors said: “As an employer Reid & Co Solicitors are delighted to be involved with the Transition Programme at Stepping Stones. Seeing a person with special needs grow in confidence as they realise what they can contribute as an employee is very rewarding.”

James Scott, a pupil from Parkview school said “I am on placement two days out of school each week working on an open activity farm and a riding school. When I leave school I want Stepping Stones to get me a job working outdoors.”

If you would like to know more about Stepping Stones contact 9266 6404 or visit www.stepping-stones.org.uk.

Stepping Stones NI delivers an accredited, free, Barista Coffee training course in partnership with the renowned coffee company, “Johnsons”. 

This training is of great value for anyone who wants to work in the catering industry.  The course covers the making and preparation of all coffee from Espressos, Lattes, to delicious Cappuccinos.

With our excellent coffee making facilities in the Avenue coffee shop, trainees have successfully completed the Barista training.

Emma, a trainee who has achieved her Barista certificate, has become skilled at making a variety of coffees for our customers:

“I found the Barista training very interesting.  I learnt how to make Espressos, Lattes, Cappuccinos, Choca Mocha and Americanos.  This is very useful for the future because I now have the coffee making experience.”                 Emma

If you want to find out more information about Barista and other training courses provided by Stepping Stones NI please contact our Training Coordinator, Helen Jelly on:

Tel: 028 92666403  Mobile 07889404954

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it             

Well done to all the trainees who have successfully completed their Level 1, NVQ’S in Food Preparation & Cooking and Food & Drink Service.

Over one year the trainees worked in Stepping Stones Coffee Shop and completed the course through observation and assessments

With excellent guidance and support from NVQ assessors Margaret and Sue, trainees gained skills in Customer Care, food safety, effective teamwork, preparing vegetables, salads & pasta and maintaining a tidy work area.

‘I learnt how to serve customers and do teas and coffees’,
James (NVQ Level 1, Food and Drink Preparation)

‘I prepared sandwiches, made salads and chopped vegetables. I also unpacked goods and put them into bags of ten and labelled the bags’,
Emma (NVQ Level 1, Food Preparation and Cooking)

If you have an interest in Catering and require more information,
Contact our Training Co coordinator Helen Jelly.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: 028 9266 7124

Information about our services is now displayed on the Employers for Disability NI website. 
Go online at www.efdni.org to check out the Stepping Stones article or see their latest news letter (September - October 2009).

On the 11th of September 2009 Stepping Stones held a Professional's open day at our Head Office at Seymour Street. The Employment Service sent out personalized invitations, made in our Pink Elephant Card workshop, to a list of relevant organisations and schools with which we have a working relationship in the Lisburn Community.

The day consisted of a personal tour through our Training Department, Coffee Shop, Picture Framing and Pink Elephant Card workshops.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to see hands on how trainees work and train on-site as well as getting to sample some fine products including coffee, scones and lunch in the Coffee shop.

It was a great opportunity for Stepping Stones staff to promote our services further and build on our relationships with local organisations and schools.

We would like to thank all that attended from the local community including school Vice Principals, other disability organisations, Special Education Needs Co-ordinators (SENCO's) for showing an eager interest in the new Transitions Service and all other services provided by Stepping Stones.

Stepping Stones values the support of the local community and we continue to develop these strong and vital links.

To keep you up to date with all our exciting services and developments we have introduced our new state of the art website. 

There is always lots going on at Stepping Stones, so ensure you keep an eye on our exciting news section to keep up to date. 

We look forward to welcoming you back again and again to our web info.

With recent open days at local Special Schools, Stepping stones have launched their transitions service.

The service is a key for those individuals leaving school who wish to have a smooth move into our services.  Our transitions officer will ensure that you, your family, professionals are all planning ahead for your move from school.

For further information please see our transitions information.