Learning Disability Support
We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. That’s why we offer a range of tailored opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities to gain valuable life skills, achieve qualifications and secure paid employment.
We operate six social enterprises in Lisburn and Newtownards. Our trainees are empowered to build confidence, develop new skills and meet new people. Each social enterprise serves as a realistic training platform for trainees with 100% of profits from these enterprises reinvested back into our work. These include three cafes, picture framing, a wedding stationery business and a horticulture and well-being hub.
Trainees have the opportunity to take part in life skills programmes, social enterprise training and to gain qualifications, with opportunities to secure paid employment. Individuals also have the opportunity to use their self directed support payments to avail of additional programmes.
Programmes & Qualifications
Loving Life Programme
This programme focuses on life skills & personal development. Participants are brought together to meet new people, enhance their social skills and learn new things. The overall emphasis of this programme is to improve health and well-being.
Participants engage in indoor and outdoor activities that include walking, yoga, zumba, games, creative writing, art and craft, mindfulness, bowling, cinema trips and much more.
Disability Football Team
Our disability football team has been a great success offering a fun and interactive physical activity for all abilities. Training takes place twice a month with our team enjoying participation in various disability football tournaments throughout the year.
Qualifications
We offer a wide range soft skills courses and accredited qualifications.
Each individual that we support with a learning disability is unique with different goals and dreams. Our support team work closely with parents/carers and trainees to map out a tailored support plan. Soft skills courses include:
- Build Your Confidence
- Money & Me
- Communication Skills
- Sleep Hygiene
- Stress Awareness & Chi Mi
Accredited qualifications include:
- Food Safety in Catering
- Food Allergens
- Customer Care
- World Host Principles of Customer Service
Social Enterprises
Social Enterprise Stories
Summer BBQ
Pink Elephant
Courtyard Cafe
Gatelodge Cafe
Navigation House
Navigation House
Navigation House provides opportunities for people with learning disabilities/difficulties to develop horticulture skills and participate in well-being activities.
The site boasts beautiful and tranquil surroundings with direct access to the Lagan Canal. Participants learn about growing flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables. The programme includes outdoor and indoor educational activities under the guidance of our horticulture team. Health and well-being activities include yoga, zumba, walking, mindfulness and creativity.
Navigation House also offers horticulture workshops to the public with the house and grounds available for room and event bookings. The public can also enjoy our beautiful surroundings by visiting our coffee cart provided by our partner Rare Grazing. The public can visit the grounds and coffee cart from Tuesday – Sunday with plenty of picnic tables to relax at. We are also dog friendly. Parking is available at Blaris Rd leading to direct access via the Union Lock.
- Visit website
- fiona.robertson@stepping-stones.org.uk
- (+44) 028 9279 4458
The Gatelodge Cafe
The Gatelodge Cafe in Newtownards offers training in catering and hospitality for people with learning disabilities. Trainees work under the supervision of our catering and hospitality team to develop new skills and achieve NVQ qualifications.
Trainees gain valuable life skills and work experience in the kitchen and on the cafe floor making coffees, preparing food and serving customers. They also engage in weekly classroom style training sessions focusing on personal and social development.
The cafe is located at the entrance to Ards Community Hospital and has been popular with regular hospital staff and visitors since we opened in 2016. Parking is available on site with the cafe open from Monday – Friday.
The Courtyard Cafe
Since 1998, our cafe on Seymour Street, Lisburn, has drawn a loyal customer base for coffees, treats, breakfasts and lunch.
Our trainees with learning disabilities are guided by our catering and hospitality team to prepare and serve food. They gain NVQ qualifications in food service and preparation and front of house acquiring the skills to work in the catering and hospitality industry.
The cafe boasts a sunny outdoor terrace and is dog friendly. We are open Monday – Friday with free car parking available for customers across the road at Seymour St Methodist Church.
Pink Elephant Wedding Stationery
Pink Elephant has been crafting bespoke wedding stationery for couples across Northern Ireland and afar since 2003.
Each piece of stationery is handmade by our trainees, under the expert guidance of our design team. From wedding invitations to table plans and RSVP cards, our trainees create every item with pride and precision.
Trainees enjoy the creative nature of crafting each piece and showcasing their creative talents.
Pink Elephant Wedding Stationery is open Monday to Friday for consultations with weekend appointment available by appointment.
Picture Framing
For over 20 years, we’ve been framing special pieces to the highest standards. As a member of The Fine Art Trade Guild, our expert framers and trainees ensure every frame is crafted with precision.
We offer a wide range of frames and mounts, having framed everything from medals and ballet shoes to sports memorabilia, art, and family photos. Our team provides expert advice on how to best showcase and preserve our customers treasured items.
Our trainees excel in crafting and finalising frames with the highest attention to detail from them on every piece.
We are open Monday – Friday for consultations and collections.
2nd Avenue Café
2nd Avenue opened in it’s doors in December 2019. Located in Lisburn City Centre on Antrim Street, just behind Bow Street Mall, the café offers a fresh, modern space to enjoy artisan coffee and food.
The cafe serves a loyal customer base for breakfast and lunch with trainees supporting kitchen and front of house staff to make and serve food and drinks. Trainees also enjoy preparing outside catering orders.
Trainees enjoy the buzz of the cafe with a regular clientele supporting what we do.
The cafe is open Monday – Friday and 2 mins walk from Lisburn train station.
