Issue two – Spring 2025
Welcome to our newsletter, which is aimed at everyone who has been on Next Step Cards training.
If there is anything you would like to see included in the newsletter, of if you have any queries at all,
please just let Jenny know by emailing: cwp.
Upcoming Next Step Cards training – Monday 19 May in Ellesmere Port
If you know of anyone who may be interested in attending the Next Step Card training, we have spaces available on an upcoming session at Sycamore House in Ellesmere Port (CH65 9HX) on Monday 19 May from 9.15am to 12.30pm. All they need to do is complete the booking form to register.
For anyone who can’t make this date, they can register their interest in attending future dates so they’ll be the first to hear about any upcoming sessions in their area by completing the short form on our website.
Using the Next Step Position Cards
Wand
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Theme: Hope, wishes, magic, change Prompt: “If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing in your life right now, what would it be?” Purpose: This Card opens up creative, non-judgemental space to express their deepest hopes or challenges – even if they seem impossible |
Bin
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Theme: Letting go, discarding, release Prompt: “If you could throw something away – like a thought, habit, or situation – what would go in the bin?” Purpose: Helps identify what’s no longer helpful or what they want to leave behind as they move forward. |
Trophy
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Theme: Achievement, strengths, pride Prompt: “Tell me about a moment that made you feel proud – where you earned a trophy in your own way.” Purpose: Builds confidence and surfaces personal strengths, especially helpful when working toward goal setting or recognising progress. |
Past
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Theme: Reflection, history, backstory Prompt: “What from your past feels important to share or helps explain where you are now?” Purpose: Encourages storytelling, helps make sense of their journey, and can identify patterns or turning points. |
Present
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Theme: Current state, now, reality Prompt: “What’s going on for you right now? What Card shows where you’re at today?” Purpose: Helps ground the conversation in the present and assesses what support might be needed in the moment |
Future
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Theme: Aspirations, hopes, direction Prompt: “When you picture your future, what do you see? What’s one small step you’d like to take toward it?” Purpose: Inspires forward-looking conversation, goal-setting, and practical planning. |
Virtual Reflective Spaces – upcoming dates in May and June
We held our first Next Step Cards virtual Reflective Space in March – thank you to everyone who attended! Our Reflective Spaces are for practitioners using Next Step Cards to connect, as well as share best practices and challenges.Our discussions included:
• Techniques for using the Next Step Cards
• Common challenges
• Shared practical strategies
• Impact of the Next Step Cards
• Integration of the Next Step Cards with other methods
Our next Reflective Space dates are Monday 12 May at 4pm, and Wednesday 18 June at 12pm.
Using Level Cards to support goal setting - 'See', 'Feel', 'Think', and 'Do'
They support awareness of where someone is now - and where they want to be.
Encourage young people to use the words and imagery on the Level Cards to help them picture their journey between levels and select actions using the Step Cards.
‘See’Prompt: “What does this level look like?” “I’d be sitting up more, making eye contact, maybe smiling.” Link it to a Step Card—what’s the one that shows how you can practise this? |
‘Feel’Prompt: “How might someone feel at this level?” “I’d feel more relaxed, like I belong.” Link it to a Step Card—what’s the one that shows how you can practise this? |
‘Think’Prompt: “What might someone think at this level?” “I can handle this. I’m allowed to try new things.” Link it to a Step Card—what’s the one that shows how you can practise this? |
‘Do’Prompt: “What might someone do at this level?” “I could message a friend or ask a question in class.” Encourage choosing a Step Card that reflects that action |
Visualisation: Bring it to Life
Invite them to imagine success in detail—what they’ll see, feel, think, do. Visualisation builds motivation and makes goals feel real and achievable.
“Close your eyes—picture yourself at your next level. What’s different?”
Use these prompts to spark rich conversations, guide progress and take ownership in a creative and empowering way.
Case examples of using the prompts can be found in the document library on the password-protected Resources Section of the Next Step Cards website. If you’ve forgotten the password, contact Jenny: cwp.
Updating pre-training reading
We have updated our pre-training reading by adding some pictures of the different types of Next Step Cards to make it more vibrant and easier to understand. You can find it on the Next Step website.
Do you work for CWP? Would you like to be a Next Step Card trainer?
“I have been part of the Next Step Cards training team for a number of years and really enjoy delivering the training. The training is always warmly received and is a positive interaction with our partner colleagues.
“The commitment, at most, is about three days across the year. The training is scripted and you always deliver with another experienced colleague so there is little prep. Jenny is amazing at setting up the training and dealing with all of the admin so all I need to do is get to the venue!
“I would really recommend joining the training team especially if you are looking to get training experience and demonstrate wider skills for your CV."Sophie Holt, MHST and CYPMHS Hub Clinical Lead - Cheshire
We are looking for trainers from Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Wirral. Please email for further details, contact Jenny at cwp.
Next Step refresher training sessions - coming soon!
These will be taking place online later in the year, and we will share the details of the refresher sessions and how to book on in the next newsletter, if not sooner, so keep an eye out!
Hold the date - Next Step Best Practice Event 2025 – 19 November
Our aim is to provide you with an interactive and informative day – with a focus on the Step Cards and how to help your client progress and achieve their goal.