Over an exciting 11 week period, the Schools Out group has been reaching new heights through weekly climbing sessions at Alien Rock in Edinburgh. Working in partnership with Urban Uprising volunteers and the expert instructors at Alien Rock, the children have developed their climbing skills, built confidence, and learned the importance of teamwork and perseverance.

It was a proud day for the Sparrow Group yesterday as they showcased their films and reflected on their journey of support at the City Chambers. Statutory services and partner organisations came together to learn about the project’s work over the last three years and were invited to share their own perspectives and experiences of the care system.

We are proud to be one of the first charities funded by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, which is exclusively dedicated to supporting babies and their families.

Throughout the summer we offered families a weekly session at Granton Community Gardens. We had a great turn out, enabling us to promote this wonderful space where families can access outdoor play and make connections with other local families.

As we approached the summer break, we moved our P7 ‘Schools Out’ group outdoors, working on outdoor skills and teambuilding activities with the group really gelling together. As the term drew to a close and they took part in all their leavers activities we made plans for the summer holidays. Planning a variety of activities for them to take part in to finish up their support.

The publication of our Strategic Plan for 2025-2027 is a source of great pleasure among all of us at Stepping Stones.

Our group work programme starts back again on Wednesday the 13th of August.

This June, we wrapped up our first Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) group at Stepping Stones—a supportive, reflective space for parents to explore their relationships with their children and themselves. Facilitated by Family Wellbeing Practitioner Anna in partnership with Melanie from PAIRS (Parents and Infants Relationship Service), the course offered a warm, non-judgemental environment for parents to reflect and learn.

The Sparrow group has spent the past six months working closely with Media Education to create two powerful films: The Sparrow Project and Living with Social Work Involvement.

The main aim of our Steps to Grow group is to support parents and children with their confidence in outdoor play and learning and to become more aware of the benefits of outdoor play for early childhood development.