Next Steps Enterprises

Next Steps Enterprises are a provision of person centred support for young adults with learning disabilities and autism.

Next Steps is the only provider service in England who has won four national awards for its excellence in providing people with greater choice and control in their lives.

Being supported by coherent and motivated support staff, young adults with disabilities can excel in the following professional functioning enterprises:

• New Vision (health and safety and learning disability training)
• Guidepost (clerical/user-led information groups)
• Harvest and Help (fresh produce, gardening and grounds maintenance)
• All Sortz (furniture recycling and upgrading)
• Your Store (retail - running a shop)
• Little Bites (catering)

Within these enterprises, the lives of young adults with disabilities have been transformed, by the experiences they have gained from working at the heart of their community, delivering services to over 150 people each week. People's social status has substantially increased, they have made new friends and developed their personal skills, work-based competencies and confidence - which in turn, has led to some service users, with the support from GATES employment service, to go onto self-employment or paid employment.

The 'pick and mix' nature of Next Steps enables a person to gain work experiences and progression in any or all, of the six enterprises - this has proven to be a very effective approach in developing people's social skills.

Next Steps Enterprises are members of the award winning 'Angling 4 All' and Special Olympics Gateshead Tyne and Wear sporting clubs, winning medals in regional, national and international competitions. Next Steps' Special Olympics footballers enjoy an awesome, once in a lifetime opportunity by being mentored each week by Newcastle United Academy players and playing at the Newcastle United Academy each month.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for Next Steps, you must be a Gateshead resident over 18 years old, and have a learning disability, physical disability, autism and/or a mental health condition. You must be in receipt of an Adult Social Care Assessment. Referrals must be made through Gateshead Council's Adult Social Care service.

Contact

Lisa Elliott - Manager
lisaelliott@gateshead.gov.uk
0191 492 5480