Stepping Stones Drop In

Every Wednesday, from 11.30am to 1.30pm, Poplars runs a drop-in for people and their families with dependency problems. These centres offer care, clothing, food and the opportunity to escape from addiction and rebuild a new life.

The aim of the drop-in is to offer hope in a very hard, harsh world and we delight to see those finding their place in the wider community as they build new lives.

The Stepping Stones drop-in began in 2004 when Janet Roper was asked if she would be able to help a young man who was addicted to drugs and was living in his parents’ shed. As he began to recover he brought others to the Poplars office to receive food, clothes and a wash every week.

Over the last ten years the work has grown tremendously and there are now up to 50 people who attend the drop-in every week. Some of these people have been able to change their lifestyles and have been renewed by the love of God. Scott, the young man who first came to Janet for help, is now in full time work, engaged to be married and has a young daughter.

Stepping Stones offers a free lunch every week, with sandwiches, fruit, crisps, home made cake and a variety of drinks. There are also a variety of people available to talk, listen and pray with the attendees, including Lawson Main, a support worker who is able to arrange for people to attend the Lighthouse project in Rotherham, as well as other rehabilitation services.