Five years of changing lives: Step One Charity marks BeWell anniversary with community celebrations across Devon 

A free mental health and wellbeing service that has supported thousands of people across Devon has celebrated its fifth anniversary with events attended by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, participants, volunteers and members of the Devon business community. 

BeWell@StepOne, run by Step One Charity, launched in 2021 with a simple but ambitious idea: that community, connection and meaningful activity could help people improve their mental health before reaching crisis point. Five years on, it has delivered thousands of free wellbeing sessions, peer support groups and community activities to people across the county. 

To mark the milestone, Step One hosted a series of events bringing together participants, volunteers, supporters and community partners. Celebrations began at Step One's Exeter headquarters, where the charity welcomed members of the Devon Chamber of Commerce and the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Gemma Rolstone, who cut the anniversary cake to officially mark the occasion. Community events followed in Paignton and Exeter, giving participants and supporters the chance to come together, share stories and celebrate what BeWell has achieved. 

The Paignton event held particular significance, taking place at the Community Hut where BeWell's face-to-face journey first began. 

Tom Acres, Business Development and Delivery Manager at Step One Charity, said: "Five years ago we started with an idea and a belief that people shouldn't have to wait until they're in crisis to get support. What BeWell has become, the friendships made, the confidence rebuilt, the lives genuinely changed, goes far beyond anything we imagined. Seeing everyone come together to celebrate that has been incredibly moving." 

BeWell offers its services entirely free of charge and receives no statutory funding, relying instead on grants, donations and fundraising. The service is open to anyone over 18 in Devon through self-referral or social prescription. 

Looking ahead, Step One Charity is now seeking corporate sponsors to help secure BeWell's future, with a goal of ensuring the programme continues to reach people across Devon for the next five years and beyond. 

Find out more http://www.steponecharity.co.uk/

Photo: Emily Coleman, Partner & Local Events & Community Specialist at John Lewis Exeter; Jo, a BeWell@StepOne Volunteer; Jack Nex, Trade Support Manager at John Lewis Exeter; Tom Acres, Business Development and Delivery Manager at Step One Charity.