A former user of a Swindon’s children's charity says it gave her the best years of her teenage life.

Hayley Sharland joined a precursor of STEP at 13, and says it gave her a sense of belonging and new friends which have stayed with her all her life.

She later volunteered and worked with STEP and is still in touch with the charity, which provides a safe and supportive environment for seven to 18-year-olds experiencing social isolation.

“It sounds really dramatic but it probably changed my life being at STEP”, Hayley said.

“I think if I hadn't had the guidance that I had, I probably would have gone on a different path.

Hayley began at Youth Forum, which provided a student voice in local authority decisions - anything they wanted a child’s opinion on, the Youth Forum provided it.(Image: Dave Cox)

She went away every other month on residentials with other children for activities and workshops.

“I really just enjoyed it, it made me feel like a part of something. I wasn't really popular at school. It was the only place where I really felt like I was part of something, like I fit it in.

“My teenage years were Youth Forum and STEP. My life would be waiting for the next residential to come around.”

Hayley grew up in Thorney Park, Wroughton, where she said life was not glamorous. “I was smoking at 12 years old”, she remembered.

However, through STEP she met people from all walks of life - “People with lovely families, people with no families, people in foster care. Lots of different people.”

Youth Forum no longer exists, but Hayley volunteered and later worked at STEP. She is now a teaching assistant, which she largely puts down to her time there.

“The way that they helped me makes me want to help young people like me”, she said.

“I feel like it just gave you loads of experiences that you would not have otherwise got. It was probably the highlight of my teenage years.”

She lost touch with STEP after she left at 19, but after returning 10 years later she was happy to still see many of the same faces she remembered.

“They were all so lovely and welcoming. It was really emotional actually when I went back. I was a little bit nervous, but honestly, they just welcomed me with open arms.”

She brought her son with her to visit, remembering: “He absolutely loved it. They made him feel so welcome. He only went as a visit.”

Hayley Sharland, 30, and Bryonie Ellis met at STEP and have remained friends ever since

Now that she is grown up, she can see how STEP is still helping other young people.

“I'm now at the point where I'm a teaching assistant and children from my school go to STEP. I think they do such amazing work. I can see the difference they made for other children.

“When you see people come out of their shell and grow into who they are, it’s inspiring.”

She especially thanked the “amazing” Tracy and Paul who are still at the charity, which is this year celebrating its 40th anniversary.

For four decades it has enabled children and young people to make a positive contribution to society by giving them life and social skills. 

STEP is designed to help young people needing additional support in their lives, as a diversion from offending and isolation.

It does this by working with children creatively using therapeutic group work sessions.

Young people attend a two-hour session one evening a week around specific themes such as anger management, building confidence and keeping safe, delivered through activities like art, discussion and games.

STEP also runs activities in the school holidays for young people who have already been referred.