First Step Trust
Also known as: Fst
FST seeks to enable socially excluded people experiencing enduring mental health problems & other disadvantages to have the opportunity to work & to access paid employment. FST, in partnership with statutory agencies & other partners, sets up projects that assist its service users to gain work skills & qualifications while overcoming the barriers & difficulties to employment in their daily life.
Activities & Mission
FST seeks to enable socially excluded people experiencing enduring mental health problems & other disadvantages to have the opportunity to work & to access paid employment. FST, in partnership with statutory agencies & other partners, sets up projects that assist its service users to gain work skills & qualifications while overcoming the barriers & difficulties to employment in their daily life.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 81% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 829). How is this calculated?
Higher than 100% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 67% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £1,370,300 | £1,433,904 | £1,433,904 | £4,475,845 | £60,000 | 23 / 99 |
| 2024 | £1,407,878 | £1,278,337 | £1,278,337 | £4,484,346 | £600,000 | 21 / 95 |
| 2023 | £1,577,678 | £1,224,755 | £1,224,755 | £4,266,844 | £600,000 | 21 / 120 |
| 2022 | £1,492,237 | £1,186,532 | £1,186,532 | £3,167,653 | £600,000 | 19 / 310 |
| 2021 | £1,331,001 | £1,477,136 | £1,477,136 | £2,664,973 | £600,000 | 19 / 121 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about First Step Trust
What does First Step Trust do?
FST seeks to enable socially excluded people experiencing enduring mental health problems & other disadvantages to have the opportunity to work & to access paid employment. FST, in partnership with statutory agencies & other partners, sets up projects that assist its service users to gain work skills & qualifications while overcoming the barriers & difficulties to employment in their daily life.
How much income did First Step Trust report in 2025?
First Step Trust reported total income of £1.37m and reported expenditure of £1.43m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is First Step Trust?
First Step Trust has a program ratio of 104.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 81% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 829 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was First Step Trust registered as a charity?
First Step Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 27 October 1999 as charity number 1077959. It has been registered for 27 years.
Who runs First Step Trust?
First Step Trust is governed by a board of 5 trustees. The chair of trustees is Andrew Phillip Milnes. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does First Step Trust operate?
First Step Trust operates across 6 areas, including Bexley, Bury, Greenwich and 3 others. The full list is shown on its profile.
Is First Step Trust a registered charity?
Yes — First Step Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1077959.
Details
RUSTON ROAD
LONDON
SE18 5BX
Registry Information
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Trustees
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Fst
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated