First Step Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland

12/05/2026

If you have a moment to spare, please nominate us. £5000 would make a huge difference 💜

11/05/2026

Today is the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is 'Action'.

What's the one action you would recommend to give your mental health a boost?

29/04/2026

These touching words were written recently by the mother of one of our clients.

The impact of abuse is not limited to those who have experienced it directly. It can also affect their loved ones; partners, parents, children and friends.

This is why we also offer support to secondary survivors. If you are supporting a loved one in this way and would like to find out more about how we can help, please do contact us.

21/04/2026

On Sunday James ran his second marathon in Manchester, raising money for First Step and Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service.

We are so grateful to James for undertaking this challenge, not just for raising funds but also for raising awareness.

Two marathons done, two more to go! Next one is in Belfast on 3rd May so not much rest time in between!

If you'd like to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-howat-first-step

20/04/2026

Warmth, empathy, compassion, authenticity.
Just a few of the words which came up over and over again during our Away Day on Saturday and which really highlight how everyone involved in First Step really cares about the charity and everything it represents.

It was such a great opportunity for clients, counsellors, trustees and staff to come together and reflect on the journey to date, and as we approach our 30th anniversary in 2027, discuss our hopes and plans for the future.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and special thanks go to :

Barbara Armstrong OBE for facilitating the day in such a warm and engaging way.

Phoenix Leicester for providing an ideal space and a delicious lunch.

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales for the ongoing support in so many different ways.

31/03/2026

From 1 April 2026, patients registered with GP practices in Leicestershire will have access to new same day GP appointments during evenings, weekends and bank holidays. These appointments will offer longer consultation times and provide more consistent availability across the county, helping people get the right care quickly for urgent but non life threatening health needs.

These new appointments will replace urgent care centre services previously provided in Coalville, Enderby, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Melton.

Find out more about the improvements: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/improved-evening-and-weekend-same-day-nhs-appointments-for-leicestershire-patients/

03/03/2026

This Sunday James will be running the Great Welsh Marathon, the first of four marathons between now and the end of May to raise both money and awareness for ourselves and Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service.

Thank you to James for sending us some video updates of his training, we really appreciate this huge undertaking and we are very grateful to everyone who has shown their support already.

If you would like to support James, please visit this link :
https://lnkd.in/eGGdkeU3

24/02/2026

If you have a moment today to nominate us, it would be very much appreciated.

£1000 would go a long way towards supporting our clients and nominating us is quick and easy using the link below.

The more nominations we receive, the more chance we have of winning!

Thank you so much.

https://movementforgood.com/draws/1000?cn=1165062&ct=health&i=1771862704-79764.gif&utm_source=holiday+card&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=M4G2025card&utm_id=M4G2025card

13/02/2026

This week is

Here at First Step Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland we offer free and confidential services to male survivors of sexual abuse aged 13 and above.

For more information on our services, visit www.firststepleicester.org.uk

This Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust has launched a brand new webpage bringing together all the different types of free, local support available to help people in their role as parents and carers.

Whether you’re looking to know who to speak to for help with your child’s emotional wellbeing or for courses to better understand your child’s brain — this page is a one-stop hub to make it easier than ever to find self-guided and entry level support.

You can also read top tips from qualified public health nurses on how to support your child’s health and wellbeing on the page.

➡️ http://lptnhs.com/SupportForParents

02/02/2026

Thank you so much to James for sharing this video of his marathon training. James is going to run four marathons in four different nations between March and May to raise money for both us and Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service.

Thank you James - hope the training continues to go well!

If you'd like to support James, you can do so here :

https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-howat-first-step?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL -section-marker

20/01/2026

This is so amazing and we are incredibly grateful to James for undertaking this challenge to raise money for both us and Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service.

If you'd like to read more about why James has chosen this challenge please visit his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/team/james-howat-4-nations?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

Your support is much appreciated, thank you.