Steps was started in 1994 by four families who recognised the benefits gained by conductive education. The families wanted to make the benefits available to other families locally and set up the Steps Centre for Conductive Education in Leicestershire. Since then, other families living in the Region no longer have to travel long distances to other centres or have the huge cost of going to the Peto Institute in Hungary to help their child.
Since 1994, the achievements of Steps have been impressive. From the renting of a single room in a community centre, Steps is now an established voluntary organisation which employs ten staff and provides an array of professional services to more than 50 families.
In 2006, Steps was in danger of closing down, but through a variety of fundraising initiatives, it set out to purchase St Botolphs Old School in Shepshed, which it was renting at the time. Whilst Steps was saved after the school was purchased, the building needed a complete makeover.
In 2007, a complete makeover started. Hundreds of workmen from companies around the region were on site working around the clock for FREE to get the transformation complete. Many local companies either donated their time or goods for the centre or provided food for the workforce. The whole event was supported by ITV Central News, and a total of 130 companies supplied £550,000.00 worth of goods and services free of charge.
The school got a new extension and upgrade to the existing teaching area, a new kitchen and toilet facilities and a new entrance and reception area. On top of this, an existing dilapidated hall was completely renovated to provide a theatre/ function room. Also, installation of stairs to a new mezzanine were built along with a brand new schoolroom. The car park was tarmaced and a lovely sensory garden was built for the children with raised flower beds and a water feature.
Achievements to date have been made possible by entirely voluntary fundraising activities led by Rosemary Conley, CBE and Dr Heather Crate and the other Trustees, along with support from staff, volunteers and families. This activity has engaged the support of major donors such as UPS, Caterpillar, Primary Care Trusts, Leicestershire County Council and Charitable Trusts such as Henry Smith’s Charity, the Lottery and BBC Children in Need.