Co-production and innovation with First Step Trust
First Step Trust (FST) is an award winning charity with over 30 years’ experience in providing work experience, on the job training and salaried employment for people often excluded from working life because of mental health problems (amongst other things). Many of the people they work with are long term unemployed (10 years +) and some have never worked. FST is developing new ways to help this group overcome some of the barriers to learning using a range of technologies and other learning tools.
At Edenfield, FST supports service users to gain real work experience and accredited qualifications in areas such as catering, finance and administration, motor vehicle mechanics and more.....
Since early 2025 FST has been developing its Employability and Digital Awareness program. Co-production has been at the heart of this development, with FST working with an Edenfield service user to produce the first course module “Text and Email Scams” together.
FST recognises that for many people, digital technology can be a daunting subject. When considering what to include in the program and how best to present the information, an early decision was made that working alongside someone with lived experience would be invaluable in ensuring that the course was as relevant and accessible as it could be.
The course has garnered exceptionally positive feedback with plans for the module to be delivered in person by the service user both on site at Edenfield and in community groups across the local and wider area.
