- Interpreting & Translation: In 2004, STL had the foresight to start the Interpreting & Translation Service, a scheme that recognised the need for service providers to adhere to Section 75 legislation in providing language access to the increasing population of Migrant Workers and their families coming to Northern Ireland. By understanding the need, STL’s service tendered for contracts with the Health Service and Social Security to become the main provider of Interpreting and Translation services. Profits generated from the matching of self-employed interpreters to scheduled appointments were reinvested back into STL to cover shortfalls in funding of project resources and salaries. STL continues to offer non-contractual Interpreting & Translation services.
Social Enterprise
Through effective business principles, STEP has been able to sustain and grow services through this income generating trading arm.
STL is different from a traditional charity organisation in that it looks for sustainable revenue, rather than relying on donations and funding schemes. The balancing act that STL must perform is to off-set the tension between maximizing the productivity of the various STL business ventures against upholding the social mission of the STEP organisation to ensure sustainability.
STL
The Junction: STL’s largest social enterprise project is The Junction, a landmark community building based in Dungannon (part of the EARLS Project delivered by Mid Ulster Council and STEP in partnership). The building is part of a £7 million European investment project in Dungannon, the other elements of the project being delivered by Mid Ulster District Council are a new viewing tower and events space on Hill of the O’Neill, along with a new 6.9 km path which will link key recreational spaces in the town. The funding was secured under the EU’s PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
In 2023 STEP completed a merger with Dungannon West Community Trust which brought the social enterprise Dungannon West Renewal Ltd (DWR) within the wider STEP group. A number of Dungannon West Community Trust Board Members joined the STEP management board at this time.