steps began from the frustrations and isolation experienced by one person, Sue Banton, when her son Daniel was born with clubfoot.

Sue battled to support her son within the health systems available to her, challenging the accepted procedures of the systems. Sue was the first mother to stay in hospital with her son during his treatment. She felt that this would make her son's treatment far less traumatic if his mum was there to comfort him.

Sue was fortunate that her son's doctor was forward-thinking and supportive of his parents' desires to help their children.

Sue's isolation led her to trying to seek out other parents in the same situation. She wrote a letter which was published in Mother & Baby and Parenting magazines in September 1980. This letter signified the beginning of steps. Sue received over 60 responses to her letter from anxious parents in the same situation as herself. Her response to them was simple, reassuring them that they were not alone and so began the self support group stretching across the UK. Initially support was in the form of letters and phone calls between parents; simply parents sharing their frustrations and exchanging experiences, sharing tips on how to care for a child with clubfoot. Quickly this expanded and parents with children with other lower limb problems were coming to steps for support and guidance.

Parents were experiencing difficulties in caring for their child and finding the specialist equipment that they were unable to get from their local health service.

The steps parents came together to raise funds. One of the services was to help purchase equipment that could be lent on a temporary basis to families. This service was very successful . Unfortunately, due to constantly changing health and safety legislation groups were finding it increasingly difficult and eventually this service was disbanded and all equipment was given to local hospitals for continuing use by local families.

To enable this service to continue in some form steps developed a grants programme to fund equipment for families; this could be applied for by hospitals for use of families with children with lower limb conditions.

The helpline and information service continue to be the backbone of our work. Families and individuals find the individual support they receive an essential resource in supporting their child. This holistic approach to support enables the parent to access what they need when they need it.

steps continues to develop its services in response to the needs of parents and the constantly changing environment in which we work.

We work in partnership with many different organisations to avoid duplication and to enable us to offer the best possible service.