The campaign, which is currently running on billboards across the region, features real people supported by Stepping Stones NI, celebrating their achievements in life and work and highlighting what is possible when the right support is in place.

Stepping Stones NI supports people with learning disabilities to build skills, confidence and independence, helping them to thrive as active members of their communities and workplaces. The “We Make More Possible” campaign places their voices and experiences at the centre, reinforcing the value of people-centred, frontline community services.

The campaign comes at a critical time for the community and voluntary sector, as organisations across Northern Ireland are calling for urgent changes to capital-revenue split to the UK Government Local Growth Fund. NICVA and the voluntary sector through its #NICantWait Campaign are urging the UK Government to reverse its decision to cut revenue funding by 64% to ensure the protection of frontline community services across the sector that addresses local need.  Adequate funding will provide the essential day-to-day support that vulnerable people rely on, rather than prioritising capital projects that do not address current community needs.

Stepping Stones NI will be directly affected by an imposed 64% funding cut by the UK Government, a reduction that threatens the sustainability of essential services not only within the organisation, but across the wider disability and community sector.

Speaking about the campaign, Stepping Stones NI’ Chief Officer, Paula Jennings MBE said:

“Our ‘We Make More Possible’ campaign is about celebrating people, their strengths, their ambitions and their achievements. The individuals featured on our billboards are real people whose lives have been positively shaped by consistent, person-centred support through Stepping Stones NI .  Take Mark who for example, we have supported Mark to gain new skills, qualifications and paid employment.  Mark is a trainee at our wedding stationery social enterprise, Pink Elephant, he is a crucial part of this enterprise creating and making wedding stationery.  Mark’s attention to detail ensures that we produce the highest quality products and he really benefits from the structure, routine, creativity and friendships that he has made at Stepping Stones NI.  He is also a highly valued team member at Translink cleaning the buses, a job which he loves and which we supported him to secure.  We know that the right support gets the results for people with learning disabilities and wider society”

However, this support is at serious risk. A 64% funding cut is devastating for organisations like ours and for the people who depend on us. Without adequate revenue funding, the progress we have made, and the futures people are building, are at risk. This cut will take us back 30 years, and we have so much to lose”.

Stepping Stones NI stands with NICVA and the voluntary and community sector calling on the UK Government to reverse the imposed funding cuts and to reform the Local Growth Fund so that it safeguards existing frontline services that deliver real, opportunity for people in Northern Ireland. Our people deserve better”.

“If we want to continue making more possible for people with learning disabilities, we must invest in the services that support them every day, not buildings, but people,” Paula added.

Members of the public are encouraged to look out for the “We Make More Possible” billboards and to learn more about the work of Stepping Stones NI and the importance of protecting community-based support services.

Stepping Stones NI is inviting parents, carers and individuals with learning disabilities to see for themselves how the organisation makes more possible. Learning Disability Open Evenings will take place on Wednesday 11 February 2026, from 6–8pm at Stepping Stones NI’s headquarters, 39 Seymour Street, Lisburn, and on Thursday 12 February 2026, from 4–6pm at The Gatelodge Café, Newtownards.

For further information on the campaign contact:

Ciara Brennan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Ciara.brennan@stepping-stones.org.uk
07764491732