STEPS Charity Worldwide
Registered Charity No 1094343. A Not for Profit Company Registration No 4379997
The STEPS National Office Help-Line is open Monday-Friday, 9.30am - 4.00pm (calls charged at national rate)
Address: STEPS, Wright House, Crouchley Lane, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 0AS
Helpline: +44 (0)1925 750271
Admin Telephone: +44 (0)1925 750273
Fax: +44 (0)1925 750 270
Email: info@steps-charity.org.uk
How We Help Talipes / Clubfoot Our support services
Whether your child is diagnosed prenatally with Clubfoot or it is diagnosed at birth, you are suddenly faced with new emotions and challenges, from grief and confusion to concern about the future.
After a diagnosis it is important to make sure you and your family get the right support, as you start to come to terms with your child's needs and the adjustments you may have to make as a family.
Whilst Clubfoot is treatable it can still have an impact on the whole family and other relatives may also need support to deal with their feelings. Coping with unsympathetic relatives can be a stressful experience, but helping them to access information and support can allow them to come to terms with the situation in their own time.
STEPS offers confidential advice and support to families and carers of children affected by hip dysplasia, clubfoot and other lower limb conditions. Our valuable experience and knowledge can help you make confident and informed decisions at what can be a confusing and difficult time.
STEPS want to ensure that anyone affected by clubfoot, hip dysplasia and any other lower limb condition receives the best standard of treatment, information and support that they need.
We offer a wide range of services (many free of charge) to help and support all the family and are continually developing resources to reach more families. If you need advice about treatment, caring for a child with clubfoot, specialist Ponseti practioners or simply want to talk to someone who will understand please call 01925 750271 for confidential support.
One of the most basic things people need in stressful times is to be able to talk to someone about your problems. The STEPS national helpline offers confidential advice and support to parents, carers and adults affected by Talipes/Clubfoot.
We won’t tell you what to do, but we will help you to consider your options, try to clarify any issues you may have and suggest questions you may want to ask your doctors. Similarly after treatment, we are here to help you through.
If you have questions, concerns or simply feel you would like someone to talk to - please do not hesitate to contact us - we will be happy to help. You can call our Helpline on 01925 750271 (Monday – Friday 9.30am to 4pm) or email info@steps-charity.org.uk
Whether your child is affected by clubfoot, hip dysplasia or any other lower limb condition many parents tell us that having the opportunity to talk to other families who know what they are going through has been of great benefit and certainly helped to lessen their feelings of isolation.
Our Family Contact Service is an informal support program putting families in touch with others who have shared a similar experience. If you require this service or would like to register to become a Family Contact, please contact our Helpline on 01925 750271 (Monday - Friday 9.30am to 4pm) or email info@steps-charity.org.uk
The STEPS discussion forum is an online community of parents who have come together sharing their experiences and offering support and advice to other parents of children affected by Talipes/Clubfoot. Many parents have found the message board inspirational, using the service to help them read personal stories, share experiences, ask questions and receive encouragement.
You can post pictures, form friendships and find great comfort and support. Many people are buoyed up with messages of support and understanding and many mark milestones together. This service has impacted on many peoples' lives and it is often referred to as “my lifeline” by many parents with different backgrounds and circumstances.
Just click here to browse or join up!
When your child requires hospital treatment, you may find it stressful juggling the demands of everyday life. You may have other children to care for, and the household chores keep piling up. Add to this the expense of daily visits to your child in hospital – travelling, parking, meals away from home, childcare, missed days at work – and some parents may find they are struggling.
Every hospital has a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), which should be able to connect you with local sources of support.
Don’t be shy about asking – staff will be happy to help. You could ask about the following benefits which do vary with each hospital:
Hospital parking can be expensive. Some hospitals will let you park for free if you are visiting your child, or they may offer a lower rate for parking.
When you are visiting your child in hospital, it’s important to keep your own strength up. Eating away from home is expensive and some hospitals will provide free meals to parents who are visiting their sick children.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities help families stay near their sick children while they are in hospital. There are Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms in 40 hospitals across the UK. The House or Family Room is either near the hospital or next to the ward. Families can get some crucial rest, a sense of normality and support from other families.
The charity tries to help any family they can. Families who have to travel the furthest to be with their sick child get priority. For more information phone Ronald McDonald House on 0844 840 0844 or visit www.rmhc.org.uk
For further help and advice you may find it useful to contact the following organisations:
Citizen’s Advice Bureau www.adviceguide.org.uk
Contact a Family website at www.cafamily.org.uk helpline on 0808 808 3555
Contact a Family Benefits Checklist for parents in England, Wales & Scotland
The Benefits Enquiry Helpline on 0800 88 22 00 or www.direct.gov.uk
The Disability Alliance at www.disabilityalliance.org
The Department for Work and Pensions at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/directgov/
This is the main benefit for people with a disability. It is paid regularly, straight into your bank account. Whether you qualify and how much you get depends on the level of extra care your child needs and whether they have mobility problems.
Read our guide Disability Living Allowance to find out who qualifies and advice on completing the form.
Welcome to STEPS. We are a small national charity supporting children and adults affected by a lower limb condition such as clubfoot or a hip condition. Our website is a great source of information but if you would like to talk to someone please call our helpline on 01925 750271 or email info@steps-charity.org.uk.
Supporting & guiding
Training & educating
Empowering & enabling
Providing & connecting
Seeking & campaigning
Please help us to update our STEPS Equipment List and Prams & Buggies List for children affected by DDH and Talipes/Clubfoot .
Read more...If your child has been treated at Southampton General Hospital it would be good to get your opinion on some possible research
Read more...The funding of medical negligence claims from 1st April 2013 is changing and legal aid will no longer be available.
Read more...Address: STEPS, Wright House, Crouchley Lane, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 0AS
