SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam calls for longer term funding arrangements for charities like Stepping Stones North Wales,
Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative spokesman for Education and Families, was speaking during a Senedd debate on trauma and adverse childhood experience.
He said: “Last week, I had the privilege of spending time with Stepping Stones North Wales, who are based in my constituency of Fflint Wrecsam, a fantastic charity that supports adult survivors of child sexual abuse, as well as supporting their wider families, carers and friends.
“Seeing their work first-hand was a powerful reminder that while policy is important, it absolutely has to be done right. It’s often charities and community organisations that provide the support that people rely on day to day.
“It’s the dedicated staff and professional counsellors at Stepping Stones who provide a safe environment and services, aiming to protect and preserve the good health, both mental and physical, of people who’ve been victims of sexual abuse, and in particular by the provision of therapeutic intervention and individual and group counselling.
“One issue they raised with me last week really stood out that, despite the vital work they do, they operate with significant uncertainty, because much of their funding is allocated on an annual basis, and people who make use of those services need to know that those services and that support are there not just for this year, but for future years as well.
“Long-term support is absolutely necessary. So, currently, every year, this organisation, Stepping Stones, must reapply for funding without any guarantee that it will continue.
“Often, decisions are not confirmed until well into the financial year, making it incredibly difficult to plan services, retain those experienced staff or invest for the future.”
Mr Rowlands called on the Cabinet Secretary to consider whether longer term funding arrangements could be introduced for charities’, like Stepping Stones, where appropriate; so they could plan ahead retain those skilled counsellors and focus their time on supporting those who need them, rather than continually bidding for short-term funding grants.
Stepping Stones North Wales, which was established in 1984 and became a registered charity in 1995, offers free individual counselling, support, psychoeducational courses and resources as well as group work to adult survivors of child sexual abuse. It also supports family members, carers and friends.
The charity is an independent and confidential service with around 20 professionally qualified counsellors working across the six counties of North Wales, with its main office in Wrexham.
