Steps to Work

The Steps to Work programme empowers young adults aged 18-25 with learning difficulties, who are neurodivergent or have barriers to employment into paid work. 

Steps to Work Open Days

Would you, or someone you know, like to join our Steps to Work programme? We are recruiting trainees! 

To find out more, please get in touch or come to one of our Open Days at Strawberry Field, Beaconsfield Road, L25 6EJ. See the Strawberry Field Events Page for forthcoming dates. To find out more, email the team on steps@strawberryfieldliverpool.com

What is Steps to Work?

The Strawberry Field Steps to Work Programme is the first of its kind with core values of generosity inclusivity, compassion and integrity.

“Person - first” approach

Steps to Work adopts truly “person-first “ approach which has the trainee at the heart of everything we do. Each trainee is supported by their dedicated Work Coach for the duration of the programme.

Trainees will have an individual journey plan which will be achieved through commitment from the trainee and Work Coach. The wider Strawberry Field team are on hand to offer emotional and pastoral support.

Trainees learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment and are guided by their Work Coach.

Steps to Work prides itself on championing neurodiversity and challenges employers to build a more neurodiverse workforce.

Who should apply?

We are looking to support young people who:

• have a keen desire to gain paid employment
• are currently economically inactive, for example, not in education, employment or training, or may never have worked
• will commit to attending and participating on all aspects of the programme
• are prepared to try new things and develop new skills
• are willing to commit to the programme for up at least 12 months to achieve their job goals

Watch this video from a recent graduation event to see how the programme has helped some of our previous trainees.

What can I expect?

Steps to Work consists of an eight week work readiness course, followed by up to three different three month work placements. These placements include two days per week of vocational training and two days per week in a work environment to move young people into employment or meaningful volunteering. The first cohort of eight trainees joined the programme on 15th October 2018 to begin their journey into work.

The trainees are mostly based at our Strawberry Field training hub in the centre of the historic grounds where John Lennon played as a child.

At the end of the Steps to Work programme, each young person will have developed their confidence, independence and other life skills as well as having the vocational experience to empower them into work.

If you'd like to join us at Strawberry Field and realise your goals, why not explore the other programmes available through Steps at Strawberry Field.