Christmas Week at The Gate

A couple of weeks we told you about what we were getting up to at The Gate this week. And, as promised, here are some of the photos from yesterday's Christmas Day!

We have actually had three Christmas dinners so far this week with another one happening in about two hours! It's been so much fun for the staff and best of all our clients have all had a brilliant time.

Hopefully this montage gives you a glimpse into the day. And if you want to see more then watch Look North this evening at 6.30pm on BBC1 and you'll be able to see video footage of the day and a feature on A Way Out.

This is the last blog of 2011! Thank you so much for following us and we hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love from A Way Out x

Give a Gift this Christmas

Have you seen the John Lewis Christmas TV Advert yet this year? If not, you really should check it out, it makes for good viewing. (The link to Youtube is here.)

At A Way Out, we love giving gifts to our clients. We know that it means so much for them and, unlike this video, many of them don't have cosy homes and families to go to where there will be an abundance of presents under the tree.

You'll remember that in our last blog, we told you about our plans for Christmas this year, to bring hope and love this year. Although we are doing everything that we told you about in that blog, we have not received the number of donations of gifts that we were expecting. This means that some people will be going without gifts this year. We really, really do not want this to happen!

If you think you could help us and make such a difference to the lives of at risk and vulnerable women and young people then there are a few ways you can do this:

1. Buy a gift for a woman, teenage girl or teenage boy and drop it off at The Gate, 1-2 Castlegate Quay, The Riverside, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1BZ

2. Donate directly to A Way Out via http://www.justgiving.com/Jessie-Jacobs0

3. Text 'LOVE92 £5' to give £5 which will use to buy a present for somebody.

Thank you so much for reading this.

Love from A Way Out x

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

I read on Twitter this morning:

"Do not be afraid" appears in the bible 366 times - once for every day of the year (including leap years!)*

At A Way Out we don't believe that anyone should need to fear for their lives, for their health, for their children, for their safety, for their future...

Especially as we are looking forward to Christmas these fears seem to come to the fore. Christmas is traditionally a time of hope, joy, peace and love but all too often this is not the case. We will be keeping our offices open across the festive period to make sure that there is always a place to go.

We are running a whole range of activities in the next couple weeks to make sure that this is a really special time for people, a time to celebrate and have fun. For a low-down on what our girls group is going to be doing you can have a read of our latest newsletter here.

Our preventions team are also busy planning the week before Christmas which will be crammed full of activities. It's shaping up to be a great week:

Monday- bag packing at Morrissons supermarket to raise awareness and funds for A Way Out.

Tuesday- a trip to see the musical Oliver! at the Arc, Stockton.

Wednesday- Giant Christmas movie afternoon

Thursday- Christmas party which includes food, grafitti workshops, arts and crafts, games, prizes and maybe even a visit from Santa!

We know that spending quality time with vulnerable and at risk women and young people is so important and A Way Out can make all the difference in a young person's life. These are some of the things our project workers have been told this week:

Hello, just sat here chilling a just want to say thank you 4 everything, just wanted to mgs u and let u no i look forward when we meet, thanks 4 everything  x x

I don't know where I would be in life now if it wasn't for you and all your hard work at away out! I really appreciate everything u have done for me and thanks for having confidence in me and in what I do and thanks so much for sending me the right way in life! You do so much for people most the time you don't relies you do it even the little things mean a lot to me so thank you so much just to say thanks xxxxxxxxx 

Thank you for working at away out and been there for me and my friends it means a lot to know we have people we can always talk too :) 

Wow. We're really excited about Christmas at the Gate. We'll be getting back to you to let you know how it's gone and to show you all the photos!

Love from A Way Out x

*tweet by @nickygumbel

How I Found A Way Out

This is the audio track mentioned on our last blog. It doesn't need much introduction, just give it a listen, it gives an amazing insight into the difference A Way Out can make to young peoples' lives, told by those who have experienced it first hand.

If you have been moved by hearing these stories and want to help make a difference then there are lots of ways to get involved. Visit our website to find out about volunteering, fundraising or giving.

Love from A Way Out x

Photos from the annual A Way Out Ball!

Here are the much awaited photos from the our Black and White Winter Ball last Saturday! It was such a spectacular evening and we're so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make it a success and for our supporters' generosity on the night.

The Ball was all about celebrating the life-changing work carried out by A Way Out in Teesside. Our black and white theme wasn't just for aesthetic purposes (although I'm sure you'll agree that the room looked fantastic!) but symbolised the journey our clients take as they find a way out of challenging circumstances.

Karen Heritage Studio Ltd choreographed a fantastic performance that told the story of those we work with as they move from a place of darkness to a place of light and hope. (The video of this will be uploaded once it is edited!) And an audio clip produced by James Mountford from BBC Tees which was played on the night will also be available to hear soon. It really is worth a listen.

But for now, you can check out the photos:

 Thank you so much to everyone who attended, helped and supported us. You helped make this night one that will be remembered for a long time.

Love from A Way Out x

Alcohol Awareness Week

Hospital admissions linked to alcohol use have more than doubled in the UK over the last 10 years to over 200, 000 last year and there has been a 20% increase in GP's making prescriptions for alcohol dependence in the last 4 years.

Around 95% of alcoholics die from their disease and approximately 26 years earlier than their normal life expectancy.

Drunk driving is responsible of approximately 50% of motorway deaths.

A study of 11 and 12 year old school kids showed that those who demonstarted an awareness of beer ads, held more positive beliefs about drinking and intended to drink more frequently when they grow up.

A Way Out exists to reach out to vulnerable and at risk women and young people which includes those who suffer from alcohol addiction and those at risk of alcoholism so these issues are high on our agenda. This week is Alcohol Awareness Week and so our project workers have been devoting themselves especially to raising awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse in schools, colleges and at our own centre, The Gate.

Yesterday at The Gate during our Wednesday drop-in, rooms were set up with various activities around awareness of alcohol and how to drink safely and responsibly. There were alcohol worksheets and quizzes testing the girls' knowledge on alcohol consumption and safe habits as well as the chance to make their own non-alcoholic cocktails and our fantastic staff led discussions on ways of lowering levels and keeping safe when drinking e.g. going out with people you can trust, not mixing drinks and sexual health when out drinking.

Driving in beer goggles!

Mixing up some safe cocktails

For advice on safe drinking you might like to visit:

http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/
http://www.awayout.co.uk/how-we-can-help-you/

Love from A Way Out x

(Statistics taken from http://www.alcoholism-and-drug-addiction-help.com/alcoholism-statistics.html)

Keeping it Short and Sweet

This week the blog is short and sweet.

We've started sending an e-newsletter every few months to our supporters to let them know all the exciting things we've been up to. 

We think you'd love it. 

Click on the picture below to read our latest and if you don't want to miss out, click to subscribe in the top left hand corner.

Happy reading :-)

Love from A Way Out x

MAD for A Way Out!

Our I'm Making A Difference (I'm MAD) for A Way Out campaign has been slowing building this autumn. We've been selling merchandise, some of your have been wearing our I'M MAD hoodies and t-shirts and we are very excited now to be launching our first MAD fundraising event!

In February, we're looking for a whole crowd of mad supporters to launch themselves off of the Transporter Bridge, all in the name of charity. You might go feet-first by abseiling down the side or just dive off head-first on the end of a bungee rope! And if you are completely crazy then why not do both?! (Special discounts will be on offer for those brave another to accept the double-challenge.)

So what are you waiting for? Start fundraising now and you'll be amazed and how much you could raise by February. The money will go straight into transforming lives around Teesside, bringing hope, freedom and wholeness. If you don't think that this challenge is for you then maybe you know someone else who will be up for it? Pass on the message so we can make a difference.

Download a booking form today for abseiling or bungee jumping (or both!) from our website and you'll be well on the way to becoming a life changer. We look forward to hearing from you...

Love from A Way Out x

Guest Blogger: Gaynor

Hi my name is Gaynor and I’m part of the Women’s Outreach team. I started at A Way Out in November 2010 along with Rachel when we re-started the Women’s Outreach project and I now stalk women on a daily basis!!!

My role is to support vulnerable women in whatever way is needed; basically we see ourselves as the lynch pin that connects all other agencies working with the service user to enable a wall of support to be built around them. The service users come from all walks of life; we have no limits, we’ll take them all! We have no daily routine, no really, we don’t! Our days can consist of court visits, multi-agency meetings, or just simply sitting and having a coffee and a chat.

Our project has grown massively in the last year from chasing women down the street with expletives thrown at us to them now coming to us for help. Although the job can be draining I love it especially when you’re told, “You are the biggest support in my life, I don’t know what I would do without you”. The role is hard but it is so worthwhile when you see women exiting their chaotic lives and re-joining society and their families. Although such major breakthroughs are not every week, they are becoming more frequent. For so long the women we work with have lived on the fringes of society, I’m so proud to be able to give them a way back in.  

Love from A Way Out x

The Biggest Event of the Year!

You can now reserve your place for the A Way Out Ball!

We've been planning this for a while now and it's so exciting that it's getting closer! In just over six weeks, we will be hosting an exclusive Black and White Winter Ball at Judges Hotel in Cleveland. Tickets are limited so it really pays to be organised for this one.

This is the perfect way to fight off those approaching winter chills with a Champagne Reception, Portrait Photography, Three-Course Dinner, Live Musical Entertainment, Dance Performances, Raffle, great company and a magical atmosphere. We'd love it if you could be there! Come with that special someone or come with a crowd and book a table (10 people).

This isn't just an excuse for a really good time though. All profits raised from the Ball will go straight into the work of A Way Out to bring hope, freedom and wholeness to all the clients we work with at the moment and to all those women and young people that we're yet to meet. We're really passionate about what we do so you can expect us to talk about that a little bit too!

If this is right up your street then get in touch. Send us an email at fundraiser@awayout.co.uk or give Sarah Jane our fundraiser a call on 07776485823.

Love from A Way Out x

A flurry of Rags and Muffins

We're in the middle of two Rags and Muffins at the moment- one ran in Yarm last weekend and the next one is in Middlesbrough in just over a week. So the fundraising office is currently full of clothes, shoes, price tags and posters!

Here are some of the pictures from last week to whet your appetite for Saturday 8th October:

A cup of tea of coffee for 50p? What a bargain!

Chocolate orange cupcakes from The Cupcake Pixies

 

At the heart of everything we do; bringing hope, freedom and wholeness to women and young people

Things are well under way at Hide Bar

Earrings from Bean Designs went down a treat!

Rummaging for the best bargains

Beth seems to be enjoying herself!

 

With the The Cupcake Pixies, event sponsors and Sandra from the Soroptimists

Yarm Rags and Muffins was a relaxed affair with gorgeous cupcakes, beautiful clothes and a lovely stall of home-made gifts from Bean Designs. On Saturday 8th October there will be all of this and more! Bucks Fizz reception, fashion show, dance acts, stalls from local businesses, charity cocktails.... All for a mere £5 (£3 for NUS) and all to raise money to help those most at need.

What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We'll see you there!

Love from A Way Out x

You won't believe how easy it is to raise money for A Way Out!

This week A Way Out became a featured charity on Causeback so now you can raise money ever time you shop online and it won't cost you any extra! Internet based stores such as Amazon, Play and Ticketmaster will donate money to A Way Out with every purchase you make.

This week A Way Out became a featured charity on Causeback so now you can raise money ever time you shop online and it won't cost you any extra! Internet based stores such as Amazon, Play and Ticketmaster will donate money to A Way Out with every purchase you make.

Stores include: Amazon, Waterstones, Play, Boots, Ticketmaster, Euroffice, Clarks, Expedia, M & S, Aviva, Dell, Virgin Media, Orange, BHS. Snapfish, Sainsbury's, RAC, Boohoo, Graze, Thorntons, Republic, All Saints, Asda, George, Superdrug, All Posters, Cotswald Outdoor, Craghoppers, The National Trust, B & Q, Butlins, Boden,  and many more...

It's really easy to you and will cost you an extra 30 seconds online. Here's how to raise money from the comfort of your own home:

1. Visit www.causeback.com/awayout/

2. Click on the store you'd like to shop with

3. Click Continue

And you're off!

We've already raised a few pounds since Monday but we'd love to see this number rising. This money means that we can make real, tangible differences to the lives of at risk women and young people right across Teesside. Thank you so much.

Love from A Way Out x

It's a new look, but the same heart.

Here at A Way Out we've been having a bit of a makeover.

We've just got started and there's more to come. You'll be seeing these changes in our publicity, on our website and in our communications. It's an exciting time to be at A Way Out and we think that our new imagery matches that vibe. We still have the same big heart for the people of Teesside and we're still passionate about Reaching, Changing and Saving lives. 

This heart is a picture of what A Way Out stands for. Clients we work with come from all sorts of backgrounds and can feel exploited, abandoned, abused, rejected, angry, lonely, hopeless, lost, trapped... We want to break into their situations and mend broken hearts, bringing love, hope, freedom, joy, education, wholeness, empowerment, a sense of direction, safety... the list goes on!

We love seeing lives being completely transformed and that is something that we really do see every day! We want more and more people to hear these stories and our new look is all part of helping us get that message across.

This is our new logo and tagline that you will start seeing from now on:

What do you think about this new look? We'd love to get your feedback! Leave a comment here or on Facebook or Twitter.

Love from A Way Out x

Guest Blogger: Adam

  Hi, my name is Adam. My actual job title is so long it could probably have a blog of it’s own, but in essence I co-ordinate, develop and deliver prevention work in A Way Out. I’ve been involved here for a few years now and it’s pretty amazing to see how it’s changed and grown and tried to cling to what is was set up for despite everything that comes with developing at such a rate.

A lot of my time is spent with young men aged 16-25 supporting them in a variety of ways. Football is popular and my shins usually bear witness to how much the lads enjoy coming! Another good session is anything involving eating together, though I’m not sure who enjoys it more – the staff or the clients.

We are also able deliver 1 to 1 support to a bunch of clients. This varies from helping clients to resolve issues in their lives, such as budgeting support or housing options; to more general befriending sessions, where we aim to simply spend positive time with the lads and be an ear to hear what’s going on. This often leads into mentoring situations where we are able to help lads reflect and make positive lifestyle choices. One such lad commented recently that he felt he was no longer a “rip-your-head-off-kinda-guy” which is a massive step forward. The impact of these sessions is sometimes seen after a long period, but they always seem to make a positive difference to people. We are increasingly learning again and again the value of being committed and simply spending quality time with people.

 As well as this I am also involved with some schools work (healthy lifestyle / self-esteem sessions), some community-based work, such as a weekly community church event (which provides opportunity for people to be prayed for), and group sessions supporting young men as a group. My role is to develop this prevention work, so we are slowly but surely expanding to reach more young men that could do with some support from places such as hostels and supported living schemes. We would like to develop our work in earlier prevention with younger clients as well.

We have quality staff on our team with massive skill sets from art, music and handy man skills (and that’s just one guy) to ball sports, water sports, and outdoor adventure expertise. This is great for me as it allows us to do things with the lads that would otherwise not be possible. But the most important aspect the great team bring is that they love the guys they work with and are good at listening, reflecting and hanging out with the guys- making a clear difference to their lives.

 One of the highlights of the summer was our day trip to Richmond with the young men. We took a group of over 18s from across the young men's caseload on a trip to Richmond. Despite the weather (slightly British and wet!) we all had a great time playing rounders (skidding everywhere on wet grass and loving the opportunity to throw balls at each other) football and messing about in the river (shivering, shivering and shivering some more), as well as a cracking and slightly miraculous BBQ in the rain! The lads really seemed to enjoy themselves - even those who braved the icy river! We're looking forward to the next opportunity, perhaps an autumn day trip with the lads and staff getting back to their hunter gatherer roots!

All in all I have a great job working with great people- staff and clients alike. It’s amazing when you can see the lads benefiting from the work we deliver or knowing that they can come and see you when they need someone to talk to. It’s also great just getting to know the clients and hear their stories. The more time I spend with the lads on our case load, the more I start to wonder if we benefit just as much or more than they do.

Love from A Way Out x

Events, events, events...

We've been away at festivals over the summer promoting A Way Out and selling our brand new merchandise (details about this coming soon!) but we're back now doing what we love and running events around Teesside. 

The first of these is coming up this Friday at The Basement in Middlesbrough:

This will be open to anyone above the age of 14 and there'll be mocktails and cocktails on offer as well delicious cupcakes provided by The American Cake Company. Great music, great food, great company- we'll see you there!

Next up is Rags and Muffins Yarm. This is a slightly smaller event than our usual Middlesbrough one but it is well worth a visit. Supported by the Soroptimists International there'll be rails of clothes for you to browse as well as an open bar, cupcakes and featured local businesses present. And all that with free entry!

And of course, we promised that Rags and Muffins would be returning to Middlesbrough and here it is:

 This time around we are expanding to include menswear and children's clothes so this certainly won't be a girls only event. We're also keeping all our favourite features: fashion show, DJ, cupcakes, vintage corner, Bucks Fizz reception and charity cocktails. An event not to be missed!

Hopefully one of these takes your fancy, maybe more than one. If you coming along, why not pop over and say hi at the A Way Out stand? We love to meet friends new and old.

Love from A Way Out x

Total Warrior Photos!

As promised, here are the photos of Jessie, Sarah Jane, Chris and Dave who competed in Total Warrior a couple of weeks ago...

Chris, Dave, Sarah Jane and Jessie: feeling bright and energetic before the race got started...

The beginning of the 10k gruelling challenge

Getting towards the end now- I think arms must be very tired

Check out the landscape- it even looks quite good in the rain

Getting the electric shock treatment!

Still smiling at the end

A well deserved drink

For the low-down on Total Warrior and why these crazy people were taking part in it, have a look at our previous blog 'Running For Love. Could You Do This?' Well done to Dave, Chris, Jessie and Sarah Jane- what an amazing thing to do to make a difference to the lives of at risk women and youth in Teesside.

Love from A Way Out x