About Next Steps Together
Who We Are
Our Background
NeST began as a grassroots community initiative in 2017, bringing people together through Death Cafés and Grief Cafés to encourage open, supported conversations around loss and bereavement. In 2020, we became a Community Interest Company (CIC), expanding our reach to provide professional counselling and well-being services for individuals and families facing life-changing or life-limiting conditions.
Recognising the growing need for specialist dementia support, we strategically evolved in 2023 to focus on helping families living with dementia alongside our established grief support work. In 2025, we are expanding to include intergenerational activities, creating meaningful connections between older adults and neurodivergent young people.
Today, NeST is the lead organisation at the Tumbly Hill Wellbeing Hub, having successfully secured National Lottery funding to transform the former Devon County Council Day Centre into a thriving community space. We aim to make Tumbly Hill a centre for dementia-inclusive care, emotional well-being, and lifelong connection.
OUR MISSION
MISSION
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to build an inclusive community where people living with dementia, their carers, and neurodivergent individuals don’t just receive support, but feel a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to providing social, educational, and well-being services that are tailored to the unique needs of each person and their family.
Through our core values—Educate, Engage, Enrich, and Empower—we aim to create a positive, meaningful experience at every stage of life’s journey, ensuring that no one has to face it alone.
OUR VALUES
VALUES
OUR VALUES
Our mission is to build an inclusive community where people living with dementia, their carers, and neurodivergent individuals don’t just receive support, but feel a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to providing social, educational, and well-being services that are tailored to the unique needs of each person and their family.
Through our core values—Educate, Engage, Enrich, and Empower—we aim to create a positive, meaningful experience at every stage of life’s journey, ensuring that no one has to face it alone.
WHAT IS A CC?
CIC
WHAT IS A CC?
Our mission is to build an inclusive community where people living with dementia, their carers, and neurodivergent individuals don’t just receive support, but feel a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to providing social, educational, and well-being services that are tailored to the unique needs of each person and their family.
Through our core values—Educate, Engage, Enrich, and Empower—we aim to create a positive, meaningful experience at every stage of life’s journey, ensuring that no one has to face it alone.
HOW ARE WE FUNDED
FUNDED
HOW ARE WE FUNDED
Our mission is to build an inclusive community where people living with dementia, their carers, and neurodivergent individuals don’t just receive support, but feel a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to providing social, educational, and well-being services that are tailored to the unique needs of each person and their family.
Through our core values—Educate, Engage, Enrich, and Empower—we aim to create a positive, meaningful experience at every stage of life’s journey, ensuring that no one has to face it alone.
WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT
DIFFERENT
WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT
Our mission is to build an inclusive community where people living with dementia, their carers, and neurodivergent individuals don’t just receive support, but feel a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to providing social, educational, and well-being services that are tailored to the unique needs of each person and their family.
Through our core values—Educate, Engage, Enrich, and Empower—we aim to create a positive, meaningful experience at every stage of life’s journey, ensuring that no one has to face it alone.
WHO WE WORK WITH
WORK
WHO WE WORK WITH
Our mission is to build an inclusive community where people living with dementia, their carers, and neurodivergent individuals don’t just receive support, but feel a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to providing social, educational, and well-being services that are tailored to the unique needs of each person and their family.
Through our core values—Educate, Engage, Enrich, and Empower—we aim to create a positive, meaningful experience at every stage of life’s journey, ensuring that no one has to face it alone.
Our Committee
Suzi Garrod
Clinical Director
I have been practicing as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner since 2001, and in recent years have increasingly specialised in working with end-of-life, grief and loss.
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Laura Darvell
Integrative Counsellor
My name is Laura Darvell. I am a compassionate Integrative Counsellor who facilitates empowerment and transformation in my clients, using a range of therapeutic skills and the natural environment.
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