Forward momentum

Stepping Forward Bristol is one of our two “day opportunities” groups. Every weekday Stepping Forward, which is based at the Park Centre in Knowle, opens its doors to adults with learning disabilities, giving them the opportunity to make new friends and take part in enjoyable activities.

While there are many activities that happen at Stepping Forward’s large room at the Park Centre, including snooker, Zumba, and arts and crafts, our staff also help people we support to get out into the community to pursue other hobbies and interests.

People we support at Stepping Forward have been very active recently, making the most of the good weather we had during the summer. Redcatch Park is less than a mile from the Park Centre, making it a popular place for people we support to play racket sports and other games. The park also has an outdoor gym, where Victoria is having a work-out in the picture below.

Victoria is not the only person we support at Stepping Forward who has been keeping active recently. Sandra and Carol went for a walk with friends at Ashton Court Estate. Chloe, pictured below, and others have enjoyed bike rides.

Interactions with animals have also provided some moments of joy for people we support. Tony held a parrot on his arm during a visit to Longleat Safari and Adventure Park. Meanwhile, Ashlea fed a goat at Grimsbury Farm in Kingswood. Helen, who also takes part in gardening and arts and crafts, celebrated her birthday by getting up close and personal with some sea life at Bristol Aquarium. She’s pictured below, right, with Sandra.

People we support at Stepping Forward were asked what they liked about our support, and they listed “learning new things”, “mixing with other people”, “making new friends” and “trying new things and feeling good”.

A staff member at Stepping Forward said:

“At Stepping Forward, no two days are the same. For staff members, being with people we support out in the community can be challenging and sometimes quite loud! But it’s also fun and very rewarding. We’re helping them to socialise and feel more independent, things that we all need and that really enrich lives.”

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