November has been a busy month...

We have hosted an event of Thanksgiving at Stockton Baptist Church for local supporters and co-hosted a Regional Learning Day with guests invited from the main statutory and non-statutory service agencies in the North East region.

At both events a main theme was ‘identity’ – who you are, the way you think about yourself, how you are viewed by the world.

At the Regional Learning Day we were extremely honoured to host presentations by some of the  women with whom we work, those whose lives are synonymous with working in the night time economy.  Women who, at first glance, could have lives distinctively linked to addictions, homelessness and survival sex work – but whose longing and desire is to identified and recognised as a daughter, as a sister and as a mother.

At A Way Out’s Thanksgiving event we highlighted a story depicting a woman anointing Jesus with oil… in the story Jesus calls together his friends as asks “Do you see that woman?”…the story shows that  he gave her attention, when no-one else in the room did; he gave her a place in society; he acknowledged her love and service and he gave her forgiveness… because  he saw the woman beyond her past.  This is a direct reflection of how A Way Out reaches out, engages, advocates, with a non-judgmental approach and unconditional love – to support and enable vulnerable women and girls to reach their full potential.

We all have an individual identity which can be shaped by our own past and by those around us in the present and we can all help to shape the future of others.  You could take the opportunity to join A Way Out in showing love and compassion – especially during Christmas choosing to support the organisation with a seasonal donation of food or a financial gift. 

I remember...

...learning to ride a bicycle.  Firstly with stabilisers attached to the rear wheels.  Then the day came for the stabilisers to be removed and replaced by the strong and sturdy hand of my father, gripping the rear of my bike seat with him running along beside as I uncertainly wobbled along.  Dad would remove his steadying hand and I would peddle for a few feet before keeling over.  My confidence depleted, I pleaded for dad maintain his hold and run a long beside me, and he patiently persisted.  At the end of a long, hot afternoon I eventually, without even realising, travelled along unsupported, with dad standing way back behind me, in silence – hoping that I would not notice his absence!

Learning to travel along unsupported, maintaining the balance of our own lives, is something we can all strive to do and many of us know what it feels like to come across an unexpected bump which can unseat us, knock our confidence and even take us completely off course.  For the women we work with at A Way Out we can be that steadying hand and provide a reassuring presence to run along side, guide and steer a new, safer c  Our aim is to support our clients, working with them ultimately to a point of confidence where they feel secure enough to continue and maintain stability independently.

ourse.

Cycling has also resulted in a huge achievement for local fundraiser 89 year old Norman Franklin, who, along with his family cycled over 1000 miles and raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities.  A Way Out is extremely grateful to have been chosen to be one of the beneficiaries of this amazing fundraising feat.  The funds donated will help A Way Out to continue to support some of Stockton’s most vulnerable women, young people and families – supporting them to make their own exciting and worthwhile life journeys.