First Step E-Newsletter 5
August 2015
The Mayor of
Havering
nominates
First Step
Wellgate Farm
bring furry fun!
Welcome to
our new CEO
‘Tasty Treats’
tea room
Meet our
Fundraising
Patrons
First Step, Tangmere Crescent,
Hornchurch RM12 5PP
Telephone: 01708 556355
www.firststep.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1106002
Reg. Company Number 4767369
@firststep1988
Incorporated in England & Wales
Supporting children and families
every step of the way
Last term we welcomed our new
CEO Mark Halls. Mark has many
years experience in charity, education,
business and training and will help
develop First Step, whilst maintaining
our values and mission.
“I am delighted to be part of such an established and
worthwhile organisation. First Step provides a wonderful
environment for families to find support, friendship and access
to a wide range of effective services.
Activities in the
I hope to help take First Step forward. Working with a
dedicated and focused Trustee board, Management team and
staff we will develop a robust and sustainable First Step for
the next 27 years.
Creative
One of my personal goals is to ensure the organisation meets
the evolving needs of our parents/cares and their families.
We will be undertaking consultations in the coming months
and I would urge all former and existing families to take part.
Playrooms
Educational
The results will help us to continue to be a needs-led charity.
The input and feedback of all our stakeholders, will be vital in
shaping the First Step of the future.
If you have any comments, please feel free to contact me at
[email protected]”.
Developmental
W
e are delighted that the Mayor
of Havering, Cllr Brian
Eagling, has chosen to
support First Step in
& FUN!
2015/2016.
The Mayor has committed to raising funds
for both the Special Care Baby Unit at
Queens Hospital and First Step by
holding several events throughout the
year.
The Mayor and Lady Mayoress
pictured with Mark Halls and his
wife Sharon Goldstone at the
1920’s First Step Summer Ball
The Mayor of Havering, “I wish to serve Havering to the very best
of my ability and to work hard to raise money for my chosen
charities”.
Please see page 7 for more details.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FIRSTSTEP1988
Lisa, Lenny & Florence Barnard
Lisa, Lenny and Florence Barnard sat
with us recently to share their story.
They have attended First Step for 4
years.
“I made the decision to call First Step at the end of the summer 2011. Lenny was about
10 months at the time and was delayed in all areas. Although he was receiving physio
I felt I needed more support and so I called First Step and was immediately invited in.
From September 2011 we attended Family Sessions, where I met other mums who
could relate to what I was going through. Lenny took some time to settle in the group
but First Step became a base where the Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and
other support teams could visit Lenny and it soon became like a second family.
Lenny continued into Pre-school and started music therapy. At that time he still had no
speech or eye contact. It was whilst I was in the Parent’s Room that the Music
Therapist came in to tell me Lenny had said his first words. It was like a light switch
came on. He had a full year of music therapy and made wonderful progress. In 2014,
a film of Lenny’s music therapy journey was shown at the First Step AGM and so many
people were moved and inspired by how much it had helped him.
Lenny has remained in Pre-school and we have continued to attend Family Sessions,
and Flo joined us where she met her own friends as brothers and sisters are able to
join in. She absolutely loved Family Sessions.
It was so helpful talking to the other parents and coming to First Step has made such a
difference. You make friends for life—it’s
not a passing phase. The staff all know
your first name and have time for you.
My family, including my other children have
fundraised for First Step. Most recently my
husband Jamie and I completed the 10K
Newham Run and raised over £500.
First Step is very close to our hearts and
has been a God send for us over the last
few years. Although Lenny moves onto
school in September I feel like First Step will
always have time for me and I will continue to be a part of First Step even after Lenny
leaves”.
First Step Christmas Bazaar, Saturday 21st November, 1-4pm
“Lenny said his first words at
First Step—it was like a light
switch came on…”
To donate £5 to First Step, please text: STEP43 5 to 70070
In June we were delighted to
welcome the Hornchurch Poetry Group
to ‘Tasty Treats’. The group
generously shared their words with us,
evoking both laugher and tears from
‘Treats’ visitors.
The following was written by group
member Terry Bickell, who has
allowed us to share his poem.
It’s those first steps that we take in life
That can for us decide
Just what there is before us
From facts we cannot hide
Some are born just lucky
Perfect in every way
Beautiful, intelligent
Blessed on every day
For some and those around them
Life can be so hard
Coping with so much they are
Never dealt a winning card
Moan? They have their moments
But then and so do we
Tomorrow is another day
For you as well as me
To help all those less fortunate
There are special folk out there
To support and understand them
And show they really care
First Step stands right out for me
With what they try to do
Raising funds in many ways
Every week there’s something new
If we can help to raise awareness
Through being here today
I hope you can continue
In your own special way
W
e are currently seeking new Trustees and need
people with a willingness to work as part of a team
to oversee and encourage the future development
of First Step.
Trustees must work with integrity, objectivity and openness and
be able to attend regular evening meetings every 4-6 weeks
and occasional daytime ones. Although Trustees are unpaid
volunteers, First Step can cover travel and training expenses.
We are looking for people with life experiences that are of
benefit to First Step. Specifically we are seeking people with
professional skills including finance, human resources, law,
strategic management, communications, fundraising and past
or present parents or users of First Step.
If anyone wishes to discuss this further, please contact
[email protected]
Thank you to the Havering
Youth Council for their
recent donation of
£60.22. The council,
pictured with Play Leader
Debbie Stockwell,
visited First Step to learn
more about how their
support will help the
charity.
If you would like to arrange a tour of First Step please email
[email protected] or call 01708 556355.
Thank you to Jean Rayner who
swam a mile on her 80th birthday
to raise funds for First Step.
Jean, pictured left with
Fundraising Manager Michelle
Mitchell, completed 64 lengths of
Terry Bickell, June 2015 the pool at Central Park Leisure Centre, in Harold Hill.
Jean and her supporters raised over £1600 for First Step
and we would like to send a big THANK YOU!
Visit the recruitment
page at firststep.org.uk
to view the latest
opportunities to join
the team.
If you are interested in
volunteering please
call us on 01708
556355.
Interested in taking part in a tandem skydive, 10K run , cycle ride or football match and
raising money for First Step? Please call fundraising on 01708 556355 or email
[email protected] for more details.
In association with the Romford Recorder,
the Brookside Theatre in Romford is presenting
NIGHTS ON BROADWAY, staged in aid of
First Step.
A spectacular concert celebrating the modern day
musicals both on Broadway and in London's
West End. NIGHTS ON BROADWAY features
many unforgettable hits from such musicals as
'Les Miserables', 'Miss Saigon', 'Spamalot', 'Billy
Elliot', 'Cats', 'Wicked', 'Hairspray', 'Grease', 'Phantom of The Opera', 'We Will Rock You',
'The Lion King', 'Jersey Boys', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Rocky Horror Show', 'The Lion
King', 'Rock of Ages', 'Starlight Express' and many, many more performed by a
talented cast featuring past West End performers.
Children and adults are welcome to enjoy the interactive and high-energy show.
To book please visit www.brooksidetheatre.com or call 01708 755775.
The show will run evening performances from Wednesday 2nd September 2015, to
Saturday 5th September 2015 and an additional matinee show at 2pm on Saturday 5th
September.
£9.45 of each £15 ticket and £7.56 of each £12 ticket will be donated to First Step.
PLEASE NOTE There will be no booking fee for this event. Wheelchair spaces are available but subject to availability. Patrons with wheelchairs MUST book tickets by telephone
at least three weeks prior to the date of the event. (Telephone 01708 755775).
Wellgate Farm
On 22nd May, Wellgate Community Farm visited First
Step, much to the delight of all the children, families and
staff!
In lovely sunshine we all enjoyed meeting the sheep,
guinea pigs, ducks, chicks and goats.
Debbie Bennett, Senior Play Leader at First Step,
organised the event.
“The visit from Wellgate Farm was wonderful
for the children. For some, it was the first time they had
interacted with live animals. The different noises, smells,
the way they felt — their feathers, wool and fur—gave
the children intriguing, exciting and positive experiences.
We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit from
Wellgate”.
Drop in for a cuppa and a chat
The ‘Parent’s Room’ at First Step is open
Monday to Friday from 9.30am and 3.30pm,
for parents and carers.
If your child is or has attended First Step
please come in and share a coffee in
familiar, welcoming and
understanding surroundings.
If you need someone to listen, would like
support with a specific issue or simply
need some space for you, the Parent’s
Room is readily available.
If you do not currently attend First Step but
would like to learn more about how we
could offer support to you, your child with
special needs and/or disabilities and your
family, please call us on 01708 556355.
Supporting children & families every step
of the way
To donate £5 to First Step, please text: STEP43 5 to 70070
Our thanks to everyone involved with
the Romford Recorder campaign —
Fundraise on the 1st.
We are delighted that so many
wonderful supporters have held their
events to help us raise much needed
funds. Look out for the First Step page in the
Romford Recorder every Friday, for news and
tips of how you can get involved.
_________________________________
The next First Step Quiz Night is on Saturday
10th October and Keith and Rosemary will be
setting the questions. Teams of 8 to 10
players please and £6 per person. Please feel
free to bring your own drinks and nibbles. Call
01708 556355 to reserve your table.
Mayors Appeal Events
As part of the Mayors support of First Step
and the Special Care Baby Unit at Queen’s
Hospital, the following fundraising events
are planned:
A Shadows Tribute Night with raffle and
quiz on Sunday 6th September, at the
British Legion, Western Road, Romford.
£7.50 per ticket (bring your own nibbles).
A Mamma Mia Sing-a-long at Premier
Cinema, The Mercury Mall, Romford on
Saturday 19th September. Tickets £10 for
adults and £5 for children (up to 12).
_____________________________
An Elvis Night with raffle and quiz on
Sunday 4th October at the British Legion,
Western Road, Romford. £10 per ticket
(bring your own nibbles).
On Friday 16th October, alongside Tasty Treats,
First Step will be holding an exhibition of works
produced by local artists.
A Charity Run on Sunday 18th October,
from 11am, at Harold Wood Park/Pages
Wood. Entry £8.
The ‘Art Fair’ is a celebration of the diverse and
exceptional talent here in Havering. If you are
interested in displaying at the fair, please contact
Michelle or Caroline on 01708 556355. Entrance
is free and the exhibition will be open to the
public from 10am to 2.30pm.
For more information and to book for any of
the events, please contact Brian on 01708
373027 or email [email protected]
__________________________
Thank you to Sion, Ed, Hannah and Chloe for
completing a tandem skydive in aid of First Step.
Looking relaxed after jumping 15,000 feet!
F
irst Step provides support. This can
happen in many ways. We provide
developmental play activities for babies and
very young children with special needs and/
or disabilities.
We support siblings, giving them their own
space, away from home and family, to be
themselves, make friends and share
experiences from their point of view.
Tim Clarke & Jeremy West
Fundraising Patrons
Tim Clarke and Jeremy West have been
fundraising Patrons at First Step for over two years.
First Step’s Fundraising Manager Michelle Mitchell
works closely with Tim and Jeremy, who have a
wealth of experience and are both successful local
businessmen.
“Jeremy and Tim were invited to be Patrons of First
Step in recognition of their long held commitment to
the charity. They are both actively involved and
dedicated to raising awareness and funds for First
Step.
They offer a great deal of support and know the
charity well. Their fundraising is creative as well as
effective and they are greatly valued by all at First
Step”.
We support parents and carers. Providing a
non-judgemental environment to ask
questions, share and meet people in
similar situations.
And we help with form filling, advocacy, signposting, advice, information and pathways to
services. First Step is more than a charity or
a building. It is a friend. Ready to welcome
families from the birth of their child with
special needs/disabilities, with or without a
diagnosis.
If you feel you or someone you know may
like our support, please call us on 01708
556355 for an informal chat.
How you can help
As a charity, we rely on the generosity of our
supporters to help us to continue. There are
several ways you could support. First Step has a
‘wish list’ of items, some detailed below, which will
benefit the charity on an ongoing basis:
Dustbin liners

Amazon Vouchers

B&Q vouchers


Highlighter pens



Blu Tack
Cable Ties
Dishwasher Tablets
There is a donation point at the First Step
reception area. Thank you for your support.
Our friends at Canaccord Genuity
recently took part in an ‘ice bucket
challenge’ to raise money for First
Step.
On the 23rd June, the Investment
Companies Team (ICT), right,
braved the discomfort of being
doused in freezing cold water and
raised £800.
Mark Halls attended the event;
“I cannot thank the ICT enough
for committing whole heartedly to the challenge. I was delighted to be invited to their London
office to witness the fundraiser, which was tremendous fun.
The continued support and dedication from Canaccord Genuity, to help us raise funds and
awareness of our services, is greatly valued by us all here at First Step. As the recently
appointed CEO, I am working on my own, personal fundraising challenge ideas which I hope will
be as successful and effective as this”.
Tasty Treats Tea Room
Join us at our volunteer run Tea Room
for delicious cakes and refreshments.
Held in the hall at First Step from 10am
to 12.30pm. Each month we invite local
speakers, exhibitors or groups to join us.
Recent visitors have included the Hornchurch Poetry Group, ‘Love Food, Hate
Waste’ and the Sander’s School Signing
Choir.

Friday 18th September 2015
Craft display

Friday 16th October 2015
‘Art Fair’ an exhibition of
paintings and works by local artists

Thank you for your continued
support and commitment.
It means so much to all of us.
Friday 13th November 2015
How to make Christmas floral
displays by Elm Park Florist

Friday 11th December 2015
Christmas Carol Concert