Our Tenants

STEP

Established in 1997, STEP is a not-for-profit community development organisation with a central office based in Dungannon but with sites in Cookstown, Coalisland and Magherafelt and service delivery across Northern Ireland.

STEP’s aim is to contribute to building a rights–based, participative, peaceful and prosperous society which provides equality of access and opportunity, embraces diversity and respects difference.

STEP is regarded as a good practice model not only for its impact in advocacy and support for disadvantaged communities but for helping to encourage social change.  Ironically STEP is not an organisation created primarily to challenge racism or sectarianism. It is a human rights organisation working at community level through building human solidarity across perceived difference;  an awareness of the concept  of people as rights holders and the state and it agencies as duty bearers and challenging the learned behaviours that  limit or deny  equal rights on the basis of prejudice, fear or ignorance. The STEP model is to work with those most vulnerable to denial or abuse of their rights. The current emphasis of STEP’s work is fourfold:

1. Supporting the most  economically and socially vulnerable
2. Supporting  new immigrants / migrants on racial equality and challenging racism
3. Challenging policies which contribute to poverty, prejudice and  inequality of rights
4. Developing community and social enterprise opportunities for the organisation to enhance its long-term sustainability

STEP will offer a range of services in ‘The Junction’ building including:

• Frontline/Immigration/Debt/Housing Rights Support Advice, Referral & Signposting
• Community Development Planning, Support & Activity
• Strategic Development (policy, research, partnership & management)
• Training and learning opportunities
• Community Enterprise