“I began to understand myself a lot better. I’ve forgiven myself and am beginning to forgive other people. I’ve let go of a lot of things. It’s allowed me to move forward. I’m 37 years old and I’m just learning who I am!” Aaron
Read our report: First Step – Annual Impact Report 2024-2025
I am delighted to present First Step Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s annual impact report for 2024-2025.
This year we have joined forces with several male SA support organisations across the country, helping create an impactive network of partners that seeks to ensure survivors have equitable access to support, wherever they are, without facing a postcode lottery. As partners, we have a greater reach and a clearer voice to bring this issue out of the shadows, remove any stigma and raise awareness amongst those who need us.
Closer to home, we have continued to deliver our core services to men and boys across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, planning our re
sources carefully to maintain a very short waiting list, which ensures that there is no delay for any one who reaches out in need of our help. It takes a lot of strength to make that initial approach for help, so we are committed to being there at that very moment.
We have also outreached into places which are often overlooked, such as our county’s prisons. People with Adverse Childhood Experiences
(ACEs) including a history of trauma and sexual abuse are over-represented in the prison population, and we firmly believe that there is a role for First Step in helping them understand and come to terms with their past, so they can break their cycle of offending and secure a healthier
future.
We could not deliver our services without the support of everyone around us. I’d like to thank our dedicated staff team and counsellors who
keep our doors open every day, and our Board of Trustees who give their time to steering our charity through these challenging times.
First Step prides itself on being free of charge at the point of access for those who need support. Money should not be a barrier for those who
need help. We can only achieve this through donations and fundraising, and I wish to express my gratitude to each of our funders, including
the National Lottery, the Henry Smith Foundation, the Lloyds Bank Foundation, and agencies such as the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office
and the NHS. Thank you also to those who have taken on personal challenges to fundraise for us; I have been absolutely humbled by those who have stepped up to help.
We look ahead towards a more challenging financial picture across the sector, with restrictions on public sector grant funding particularly making things look a little more uncertain. However, I am confident that First
Step is well-positioned to meet this challenge; you will see in this report how we continue to go from strength to strength, and look towards a
bright future in which we are there for everyone who needs us.
Jon Putnam
Chair First Step Leicester Leicestershire & Rutland