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Step Together
We support people in Somerset who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and who are facing multiple disadvantages such as mental health difficulties. Our aim is to help our clients find the hope and courage they need to change their lives.
Together, we support and coach our clients on the road to recovery, and we do it in whatever way is best for that individual. Our hope is that our clients are set up to live a fulfilling life in their own homes in their community - and away from the streets.
Our clients often have complex needs and can sometimes find it hard to sustain positive change in their lives. We believe we have a responsibility to make sure that our service, and the system as a whole, does all it can to improve this experience.
We support people to build strength and reach their own goals, such as:
- Maintaining a home
- Improving health and wellbeing
- Accessing treatment
- Reducing reoffending and
- Becoming part of their communities though activities, training, volunteering or employment.
Talk to us
We’re always happy to hear from you. Please call our friendly team on 0333 023 5405 or email steptogether@second-step.co.uk.
If you have a query about Step Together, read About Step Together or our Frequently Asked Questions below.
How Step Together supports Kayleigh to live more independently
“There are loads of other people out there who have had stuff happen in their lives and need help. Step Together helps by being there.”
– Kayleigh, Step Together client
Listen to Kayleigh and her Recovery Coach Rooth Langston-Hart speak to the BBC about how Step Together has supported her to make positive changes in her life, including moving into a new home and getting a dog:
About Step Together
Step Together is a support service for adults in Somerset who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and also have a mix of mental health needs, drug and alcohol problems, behavioural issues, debt or have been involved in the criminal justice system.
Our clients have complex needs and often find it hard to sustain positive change in their lives. We believe we have a responsibility to make sure our service, and the system as a whole, does all it can to improve this experience.
Our service is primarily about helping people to live fulfilling lives in their own communities, accessing or retaining their accommodation and reducing repeated homelessness. Our clients are supported by Recovery Coaches who work with them build their strength and reach their goals.
Step Together is run by mental health organisation Second Step and funded by Somerset County Council.
Where we work
Our Recovery Coaches work with clients across Somerset. We also have three office locations in Taunton, Street and Yeovil.
Taunton office
Step Together
The Great Western Hotel, Station Approach
Taunton
TA1 1QW
Street office
YMCA Foyer
160-158 High Street
Street
BA16 0NH
Yeovil office
Yeovil Foyer and Former Trinity Church
Peter Street
Yeovil
BA20 1PN
Refer someone to Step Together
If you are a professional looking to refer someone to this service, please email steptogether@second-step.co.uk to request a referral form. You will be sent a blank referral form, which you return to the ‘referrals’ email address we provide. This ensures that all referrals are collected in one place and enables our auto-reply to confirm that we have received your referral.
Alternatively, you can call our office on 0333 023 5404 and ask for a form – which will then be emailed to you as above. Please do not send referral forms to individual addresses as it plays havoc with our admin process.
If you would like to discuss a referral before committing to completing the form, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We will be more than happy to help.
Looking for support?
Feedback
Client feedback is hugely important to the work we do and helps us continue improving our service. To submit your feedback on what we do well and what you'd like to see, fill in and submit the form below:
Our work: Embedding trauma-informed practice
Step Together sets itself apart from other services who support people with complex needs through its commitment to working in a psychological, adversity and trauma-informed (PAT) way. PAT is embedded in the very core of the service with two full-time psychologists (one counselling, one forensic) employed to support clients at every stage of their recovery and work with the team to support staff, including providing one-to-one reflective practice on a monthly basis.
Our client stories below demonstrate how taking a tailored trauma-informed approach to identify individuals' strengths, interests and challenges can help them overcome barriers and unlock their future potential:
How a Dungeons & Dragons fantasy game created real-life change
When Step Together Recovery Coach Alex first met Kaine, he was closed, withdrawn and had selective mutism:
“To give you an idea – it could take up to four minutes for him to respond to a question," Alex says.
It took time and patience to slowly build a relationship. As Kaine started to open up, Alex suggested trying out a session of the table top roleplaying game (RPG), Dungeons & Dragons. The transformation was incredible:
"As soon as he took on the role of his fantasy character, he suddenly found his voice," Alex says, "He effortlessly and enthusiastically described how his character would navigate the situations he faced, often coming up with intricate and novel solutions to his predicaments.
"Kaine has now attended many game sessions and has even been happy to go on his own when I wasn’t able to go with him. What’s even more wonderful, is this newfound ability to express himself has progressively spilled out into the real world. He now communicates clearly and openly about his hopes and fears, and plans for the future.”
Graham, one of Step Together's psychologists says:
“We can’t underestimate the value of role-playing games in helping our clients. It gives them a coping mechanism and a voice they often didn’t know they had."
Over the past year Graham and Alex have led 12 sessions for two regular clients, including Kaine. Step Together is one of a few organisations using this innovative approach with clients.
Create & Recover Art Exhibition
Painting and creating art has been vital to Stuart, Ben and David in their recovery. Although they have very different styles, they all share a passion for their creative outlet. They found getting creating and immersing themselves in their art has provided them with a means of escapism. It's gives them time and space to reflect on their thoughts and view things differently.
Create & Recover is an exhibition of artwork created by Step Together clients. Click the button below to view the exhibition and find out more about each artist and their story:
How creativity can promote recovery
How can being creative help with recovery? Our client and artist, David, and our Head of Psychology and PAT lead, Jo Davies, identify four key factors:
Articulating and reconstructing the narrative: "Being creative gave me a voice for the unspoken story," David says, "creativity opened a window for others to see into my world".
Development of self: creativity can be a powerful validation process, especially when receiving positive feedback from others.
Emotional catharsis and regulation: Being creative in any way can help people let out their feelings and/or create a place of safety and calm.
Playing: So often forgotten about, particularly for those who have childhood trauma, but play is a vital part of who we are. "Being creative allows me to reconnect and play with my inner child that was lost," says David.
Self portrait from life, by Stuart
Shifting identities, by David
Frequently Asked Questions
Read next: Updates from Somerset
