Stepping Stones

Over the past few years Crisis has been running a course for members who are ready to move on from our services. “Stepping Stones” or, as it is originally known “Progression College” is 12 week structured personal development programme devised by Angela Franklin, Progression Coach at Crisis Skylight Birmingham.

The aim and purpose of Stepping Stones is to enable members to develop their own plan of what resources and skills they need moving forward from Crisis and to encourage our members to recognise and develop resilience and independence. As the programme developed, it became more and more apparent that the course was particularly beneficial to those recovering from alcohol or drug dependency.

The members who were in recovery on the Stepping Stones course found it complementary to the 12-step programme undertaken with addiction organisations.

One member Paul, who has a lived experience of addiction, commented “Being a guinea pig in 2017-2018, I noticed as a recovering drug and alcohol addict, the similarities with the AA 12-step programme. While the 12-step programme helped you into recovery, the stepping stones programme teaches you how to live life, to sum up from a recovery perspective, it went hand-in-hand. When you have been behaving a certain way, it is about learning to live again. I am now moving into voluntary work at a local hostel. I have been an advocate of Stepping Stones to the residents there, it is so invaluable.”

(Following Stepping Stones Paul built confidence to volunteer at his dry house, undertake further training at Fircroft College and was successful in securing a Changing Lives Grant to complete Health and Social Care level 3. Paul is now in employment at an addiction treatment centre.)

Vinny became a member last year and has since taken on responsibilities and role of a member volunteer with the plastering and tiling course. “I didn’t think Stepping Stones was going to do much for me. There was apprehension there. But it has been such a bigger platform for growth. It reminded me of what I know or had forgotten. There has been such a growth in confidence for me and the interaction I have been able to have with others is far more than I expected. I remember at the start of the course being embarrassed about spelling and writing, and how I came across. But as weeks went by it became easier as the relationships grew. I found real peace from the programme. I can enjoy time on my own, enjoy my own company and I can consciously choose to spend time on my own”.

On starting Stepping Stones, Sara felt that she was “not in the headspace where she had expectations about the programme, but I found I looked forward to it each week. It has been a positive place to come to in the week where I could make plans and set goals. Trauma in my past had impacted my headspace but this was a good place for me. It has helped me to deal with my trauma. I was frightened initially as I did not know what to expect, but Crisis has helped me change perspective and helped me recognise the perpetrator of the trauma has experienced their own, that they have had to deal with”.

During the course, Vinny was able to “realise that stones are not always stable. Goals need to be realistic and achievable. I really valued the opportunity for open communication and trust with my peers. I was able to find my voice in this group”.

The programme is underpinned with coaching methodology: the first five weeks help members develop personal awareness by exploring comfort zones, success, self-care, values, beliefs, strengths and boundaries. In weeks six to ten we home in on barriers and obstacles that get in the way of us moving forward including self-sabotage, procrastination, stress, personal organisation and attitudes towards finances, enabling members to set realistic and meaningful goals. In the last two weeks, we look at relationships with ourselves, others and developing connections and relationships within our community. We finish by looking at distance travelled, keeping momentum and the meaning of ‘home’. Stepping Stones will be running a 12 week course again this Autumn Term commencing 19 September 2019.

Angela hopes that the Stepping Stones model will be taken forward to be used with members in other skylights as part of their progression move on from Crisis services