What is Steps at Strawberry Field?

Steps at Strawberry Field is a Salvation Army initiative that supports individuals with barriers to employment with employment, skills development and volunteering opportunities.

Who is eligible to join?

Young adults who have barriers to employment and are economically inactive are eligible to join the programme.

How do I enrol in Steps to Work?

You can apply online for Steps to Work here and apply online for Steps for Students here.

Can local businesses partner with Steps to Work?

Yes, we welcome partnerships with local businesses for training, volunteering and employment opportunities. Find out more here.

Steps for Students

Steps for Students offers a direct route into employment for students who may face challenges when looking for work. We connect you directly with leading Liverpool employers, provide practical employability support and create opportunities to gain valuable work experience, helping you take your next step into paid work.

Our Steps for Students programme is designed to:

Connect you with employers who are actively recruiting and looking for new talent.
Build your confidence and employability skills through practical training, guidance and one-to-one support.
Open doors to employment opportunities through direct introductions to employers and access to the hidden job market.
Provide valuable work experience at Strawberry Field, helping you develop practical skills and experience of the workplace.
Champion inclusive employment by creating opportunities for students who may find traditional recruitment processes challenging.

Steps for Students is for students who are looking to gain work experience or volunteering opportunities, as well as those who are ready to take their first steps into paid employment, including casual work alongside their studies.

We welcome students who may be experiencing challenges when looking for work, including those who:

Have a learning disability or learning difference.
Are neurodivergent.
Have a long-term health condition.
Experience low mood or anxiety.
Apply for jobs but rarely receive feedback.
Need support creating or improving their CV.
Have limited work experience.
Feel socially isolated or have limited professional networks.
Find traditional recruitment and application processes challenging.
Are new to the Liverpool City Region.
Have limited interview experience or confidence.
Have experienced discrimination or inequality.
Face financial barriers to employment.
Have caring responsibilities.
Experience language or communication barriers.
Face any other challenges when accessing employment opportunities.

Whatever your circumstances, we can work with you to identify your strengths, build your confidence and connect you with opportunities that are right for you.

Through one-to-one guidance, group employability sessions, practical training and direct introductions to employers, we'll help you take your next step towards employment.

We believe that the right introduction can make all the difference. Rather than relying solely on traditional application processes, we create opportunities for you to meet employers, showcase your strengths and explore potential job opportunities.

This can include:

Introductions to leading Liverpool employers and industry events.
Access to the hidden job market and opportunities that may not be publicly advertised.
Work placements, work experience and work trials to develop your skills in a safe and welcoming environment.
Direct introductions and relationship-building with potential employers.
Support with requesting reasonable adjustments and exploring flexible working arrangements.