Stronger Together Empowering Parents (STEP) is a
practical and emotional peer-to-peer support project
hosted by Advocating Together Ltd and funded by –
We support families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or
Disabilities (SEND) in the Trafford area through groups, peer connections, and mentoring.
We Offer
- Guidance and resources to help families explore the world of SEND
- Support with early conversations with schools and services
- Emotional and practical support tailored to family needs
- Practical support with cost-of-living challenges
- Advice on understanding needs and managing key transitions
- Help with completing benefit applications (e.g. DLA, PIP)
For more information about our Weekly Peer Support Sessions and Termly PIP/DLA Support Sessions – see our Events Page.
Parent carers in Trafford often tell us how isolating and exhausting the journey can feel. At STEP, we want every parent to feel supported, connected, and understood. That’s why we’ve launched Behind the Smile – a new wellbeing project created especially for parent carers of children and young people with additional needs.
Behind the Smile includes:
- Support sessions – monthly gatherings in a calm, welcoming space
- Creative & wellbeing workshops – relaxation, mindfulness, and fun activities like sea glass art and sensory sessions
- Practical support – workshops on resilience, coping strategies, and self-care
- Community connections – with local partners like Mabel’s Café, The Tortoise & The Hair, and Creation Station to build supportive networks
Our aim is simple: to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and help parent carers feel less alone. Together, we can find strength, hope, and community – Behind the Smile.
Events this term include: an information session about the Meno-Support self-care course starting in January, Children’s Slime Session, Reducing parental conflict session, and a Festive Crochet Project!🎄🧶
Upcoming Events This Half-term.
Information Session – 12 Week Meno Support Self-Care Course
Friday 5th December 10am till 12pm.
Children’s Slime Session
Facilitated by Creation Station
Come along and inspire your kids and enjoy safe, hassle-free gooey, gloopy, glorious slime fun.
£10 per child
Reducing Parental Conflict
Facilitated by Rachel Valentine from Trafford Collective. The session will look at the areas of conflict that parents face, and ways to support families to support one another.
Festive Crochet
We are looking for anyone who would be willing to crochet for us. We have a beginners session taking place on Wednesday 26th November and will be creating FESTIVE crochet treats for our Christmas parcels for vulnerable families.
💰STEP’s Easy Fundraising Page has been updated💰
You can now continue to support STEP when shopping online at no cost to yourself. If you haven’t used Easy Fundraising before you will need to create an account. If you are already using Easy Fundraising you are now able to update your cause to continue to support STEP.
🙋 Volunteer Opportunities — Great for Young People & Families
🎨 Window Festive Design Challenge
- Submit a design idea, drawing, or photo
- Help decorate office windows
- Raffle entry for all participants!
📧 windowdesign@advocatingtogether.com
📬 Deliver The Trafford Post
- Families or young people helping deliver local newspaper
- Flexible — as much or as little as you like
📧 volunteer@advocatingtogether.com