INDEPENDENCE
Day & Residential Independence
The Next Steps is a Social Care funded program to support young people and adults to learn and develop life skills to enable them to live their lives as independently as possible and empowering them to lead their own lives in preparation for either living on their own or movinginto supported living.
We have built good working relationships with many local organisations to who provide incredible work experience opportunities to develop employability skills in addition to providing meaningful and purposeful opportunities. We currently have adults working at Livestock Auctioneers, Barnados, National Trust Stourhead working in the Walled Garden, the House and the Shop, White Horse Café, Palmer Gardens, Larkrise Community Farm, Fairfield Animal Centre, and the Weavers Pub.
We work in partnership with Wiltshire Police who provide Tailored Learning Workshops which is designed to support those on Steps with learning how to be safe within their own homes and when out in the community.
Collaboration with Wiltshire Police
In 2024, Chloe, one of our supported adults on the Steps programme collaborated with Wiltshire Police’s Early Intervention Team to help them launch their first ever easy-read document.
This new resource is tailored to provide clear, accessible information using simple language and visual aids, ensuring everyone can benefit from vital safety advice.
Chloe’s contributions were instrumental in shaping the document to meet the needs of the intended audience, while the Early Intervention team provided their expertise in community safety.
You can access the document here: Easy Read – Feeling Safe at home and when you are out in public spaces, and read more about the initiative.
We are currently in the process of working collaboratively to design Easy Reads around Internet Safety, County Lines, Exploitation and Cuckooing.
“Sam can I just say thank you to you – you go above and beyond, always” – Parent
“It’s very refreshing to have a service that is flexible and supportive of the whole family. Pathways are approachable, responsive and respectful of our young people’s needs. They care about helping them live their best lives and making it fun, whilst progressing their life skills and independence.” – Parent
“You’re doing a fantastic job can’t physically do anymore. Normally I would be working with a support provider on strategies, but you have it all covered. I take my hat off to all of you”. – Professional
“Amanda is amazing! absolutely brilliant with supporting Esther”. – External Work Experience Placement
“I am happy with the program and how things are going. Thank you everyone for your support with getting Ellen here” – Parent
“You guys are doing an amazing job. We are really impressed with the Steps service.” – Parent
“I have got my daughter back. I cannot thank you and your team enough for everything you have done”. – Parent
“You and your team are always supportive and amazing with the young adults you support. Visiting on Friday and seeing first hand the work you all do was so rewarding and demonstrated yours and your team’s commitment and care towards the young adults we all support. Thank you to you all” – Social Care Practitioner
“I feel very safe and protected and the staff have my best interest at heart. If I have a concern the staff take time to listen to me. The staff are very supportive and help me make the right decisions” – Young adult who attends Independence Residential
Chat Cafe Enterprise
Join us at Dilton Marsh Memorial Hall for our weekly Chat Cafe.
Everyone is welcome to join us at the Memorial Hall in Dilton Marsh for our weekly Chat Café. The Chat Café is a free event (donations are welcome) that runs from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm every Friday.
We offer a variety of hot drinks, as well as some sweet treats to enjoy, free of charge when attending our Chat Café.
The Chat Café is a great place to come and meet new people, make friends, and have a chat with our volunteer chatters. We have a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and there is always someone to talk to.
We hope to see you there!
What our chatters say;
Chloe – “I feel amazing! We got the best outcomes from today. More than we thought we would on the first day”.
Corrie – “I am feeling proud of myself and proud of everyone. I am feeling moved”.
Esther – “Amazing”
BECOME A VOLUNTEER CHATTER
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer chatter at our Chat Café?
For further details and an application form, please email Pathways@ffc.ac.uk
The Independence Service –
Fairfield Pathways
If you wish to complete a Next Steps Expression of Interest Form, please click here.
To Contact Us
If you would like to find out more about our services for you, a family member or someone you work with, please contact us, as below:
EMAIL: admissions@ffc.ac.uk
WRITE TO: Admissions, Fairfield College, 43 High St, Dilton Marsh, Westbury, BA13 4DL
