Steven's Story

Find out how Elements founder Steven Russell turned his pain to purpose

About Steven Russell

Steven Russell, is the founder of Elements SEMH Support. As a child, he lived with 9 foster families, was placed into two children’s homes and attended 5 schools. With this in mind, he decided to turn his “Pain to Purpose” by creating Elements.

As a child, growing up in the care system, Steven has become an effective communicator with children living in care.

His authentic style enables him to build rapport with children and young people with ease.

Combining the elements of his professional and personal experiences to create “Elements SEMH Support”. Steven has been able to inspire hundreds of children to become more optimistic about their lives despite their adverse experiences.

"You never think it’ll happen — until it does."

My name is Steven Russell...

Born on July 30th, 1985.

Just months after I was born, my father died in a car crash, and my mother’s mental health declined rapidly. At only seven months old, I was removed from her care for my safety and placed into foster care by Birmingham social services. I moved through nine different placements during my childhood.

At age nine, my social worker placed an ad in the Guardian searching for my forever family.

At first, it felt like I’d found what I’d always wanted, a family who saw me. But things quickly changed. Within months, the abuse began. I was reminded daily that I wasn’t truly theirs, and I carried that pain silently for years.

One day...

My social worker noticed bruises on my arms. I didn’t say much, but something shifted. Soon after, I was moved to my first children’s home, a shared space with 13 other children. It was a tough time. I felt rejected, ashamed, and started to see adults as a source of pain.

In 1996, I asked the judge to return me to my first foster carer, Pat. But I wasn’t the same child she’d once known. I was angry, traumatised, and hurting and the placement broke down quickly.

I came home from school one day to find my social worker waiting. She told me I was moving again. Just like that. By age 14, I’d been through 9 foster homes, 2 children’s homes and 5 schools.

"They saw something special in me, they took their time with me, they showed me compassion and empathy."

"They didn’t just give me a home, they gave me a reason to believe in myself."

In 2000, I moved in with what would become my final foster family, Eunice and Neville, a Jamaican couple who changed my life. I’d only ever lived with white British families before, so this was a new experience. They were strict but fair, firm but full of heart.

They saw something in me and, slowly, helped me see it too. They showed me empathy, patience, and love… real love.

They taught me life skills I’d never had: how to cook, clean, save money, and care about myself and others. They took me to Jamaica for three weeks, where I experienced a new culture and a sense of belonging.

After 14 years of pain, they gave me two years of peace, stability, and hope.

School was still tough. I left Year 11 with poor GCSEs and tried college, but I couldn’t engage. My foster mum said, “College or work”, so I searched.

Eventually, I found a job at a corrugated factory in Aston, sweeping floors. It wasn’t glamorous, but it grounded me. One day, a colleague said, “You can tell a lot about someone by how they sweep a floor.” That stuck with me.

I realised I wanted to do things properly, no cutting corners. It was the beginning of my work ethic.

But while work was steady, my friendships weren’t. In 2005, I was stabbed in the head during a fight at a house party. I woke up in hospital, not knowing how I got there.

I give to children today what little Steven never had.

I knew something had to change. I left Aston, changed my circle, quit smoking, and started fresh. In 2007, I became a residential support worker and for the next nine years, I grew in purpose and passion.

I helped set up a new children’s home, joined the leadership team, and created behaviour programmes that helped kids thrive.

Becoming a dad to Malachi, Cory, and Alyssa changed everything. I was determined to be the father I never had. Ironically, I later worked for an organisation called Malachi, supporting families and learning even more about trauma, resilience, and myself.

In 2018, I channelled my experiences into something I wish I’d had growing up, Elements, created to give children today what little Steven needed.

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