meet the team
We first met on the dance floor through some mutual friends. Oscar had just returned living in South America, and Shingie had been back in real estate, in Central London. As our friends had predicted, we clicked right away.
At the time, we didn’t know that we had both coached and mentored young people, and we shared a strong desire to become the people we needed when we were younger.
Steppers London is a project created by two neurodivergent Gen-Z individuals. The positive impact this is having on the people we have been supporting, both as individuals and as a team, has only made us more determined to keep going.
SHINGIE MUPFIGO
Co-Founder
“Ten years ago, I was in my college dorm, unsure about the future. With only four GCSEs, I left school with extremely low confidence. I soon realised university wasn’t for me.
Through a friend, I discovered apprenticeships, and after nine months of searching, I landed my first role at seventeen, becoming the first in my family to enter the corporate world while simultaneously being the youngest employee the real estate firm had ever hired.
Having struggled to find my place in the world, I’ve made it my mission to help others do the same. I’ve supported two young men in moving from illegal activity into stable work and built a strong network of mentors and purpose-driven peers.
In 2025, I left real estate to work directly with young people—particularly those with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs—to better understand the support young people, schools, parents, and carers require.
Outside of work, I enjoy music and trying new food spots — simple things that keep life vibrant.”
Oscar Lopez-Valido
Co-Founder
"”At 26, I’ve just entered professional life - a transition many young people are navigating today. Growing up with supportive siblings, I learned the value of having a positive sounding board. What felt like casual conversations at the time helped ease stress in key moments and guided important decisions that shaped where I am today. I wasn’t a straight-A student, so I knew I had to find other ways to stand out. On paper, I’d often lose out—so I looked for alternative routes to get noticed. Since then, I’ve lived and worked in Madrid, Amsterdam, London and Buenos Aires, all while developing a strong passion for helping young people in similar positions find their own path. In my first role after university, I launched a work experience programme, supporting young people from challenging backgrounds and mentoring many of them to this day. I’ve seen first-hand the impact that meaningful support and relevant mentoring can have - yet too many young people lack access to it. Steppers exists to change that"