Just days ago...

while receiving generous Christmas donations of seasonal food and gifts from the local community a woman arrived at the door of A Way Out.  This woman was victim to an unknown substance and had managed to make her way across town entering our Centre barely conscious.  We awaited the arrival paramedics and placed her in the recovery position in our Reception area.  She lay amongst the carefully wrapped gifts, amidst twinkling Christmas lights, drifting in and out of consciousness.  A poignant Christmas image; the juxtaposition of glittering parcels of generosity, love and functioning traditional family values, against the plight of desperation, isolation and malicious attack.

This week A Way Out marked International End Violence Against Sex Workers Day with an event attended by 30 of our partners.  In one touching moment a woman, who is now settled and secure, shared her video diary in which she described the pain and degradation of her past life and reached out in the hope that others in the grips of addiction, may also discover the strength to accept support from A Way Out.   In a time of reflection we remembered those women lost to us and hoped and prayed for recovery for those women whom we currently support.

As we look towards the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus and remember the light of his unconditional love, we give thanks for the support we have received during this past year and we pray a special prayer for those who are vulnerable, exploited, homeless, in poverty and suffering from addiction in the hope that 2019 will be the year that they see the light of hope.

Are you a list maker?

Working for A Way Out I know that I couldn’t function without making a to-do list.  I have even been known to add things to my list that I have just completed, simply for the satisfaction of proving the task is accomplished and the fulfillment of placing a big tick beside the chore!

Psychologists speak of the benefits of list-making in terms of reducing anxiety and enhancing performance encouraging non-list makers to give it a try.

Christmas is the prime list making season – children writing wish lists to Santa cataloguing hopeful dreams of treasures to be found beneath the tree; gift shopping lists; food shopping lists; card writing lists.  Checking it once and checking it twice, just to make sure no task and no one has been forgotten.  If list-making reduces stress, now is definitely the time to start the habit.

A Way Out’s Christmas list includes 200 selection boxes; seasonal food for over 100 Christmas food parcels; around 100 special individual gifts for the women and girls on our caseload; securing cash donations to provide a special Christmas dinner for our clients to enjoy together around a table.  Many of our clients don’t appear on any other list.

Could you donate to support our clients? Why not place A Way Out on your Christmas to-do list and feel the satisfaction, when you place that big tick beside the completed task, in the knowledge that you have also helped to make Christmas special for someone who may not appear on the list of anyone else.

In order to distribute in time we need to receive donations by 14^th December.   For further information please contact info@awayout.co.uk or 01642 655071.

Written by Anita, General Manager

Love still stands...

My role at A Way Out has become even more exciting this month as I have incorporated part time studying alongside my work responsibilities.  My brain is getting used to switching from managerial mode at the office to student mode in lectures.  In the first weeks of the term there has been so much to take in that my brain capacity has had to stretch …. other mature learners will share how I feel when I say it’s like I need to grow a second brain!

I remember a similar feeling awaiting the birth of my second child… time I considered how much I loved my first born with all of my heart… so where was I going to find more love?  I learned that we don’t possess a limited quota of love and when my second child appeared the love appeared aplenty… I’m just hoping the same will apply to my brain capacity as my studying progresses!

As we approach the season of ‘goodwill to all’ (in less than 2 months) our challenge could be for us each to increase our capacity to love.  One of my favourite bible verses says  “Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.”

Christmas is a time when A Way Out shows some of Stockton’s most vulnerable women, families and young people an extra portion of love - ensuring each has a gift, seasonal food, and a celebration to attend.  We can’t do this without you sharing some of your love too – please consider donating a Christmas present or cash gift and help us show that love still stands when all else may have fallen.

Written by Anita, General Manager

Down to earth compassion...

One of my roles is to visit local community groups to provide updates of recent developments.  I speak of outreach, intervention and prevention undertaken by A Way Out’s dedicated staff as they support vulnerable women, families and young people in the Tees Valley area.  Maintaining confidentiality, I tell of joyful and heart wrenching case histories and without exception I am stunned by the sincere consideration and concern shown by those listening.

This region is often a victim of ‘poverty porn’ presented by national press and TV depicting deprivation and poor health – the truth is that our area is truly rich in kindheartedness, benevolence, concern and down to earth compassion – and we see this every week at A Way Out.

The lady who prays daily for our clients and staff; the retired couple who home bake each weekend in preparation for our drop-in for vulnerable women; the dedicated volunteers who collect donated food and pack 50 food parcels a week for distribution to those in need; the schools, churches and community groups holding fundraising events – none of these people ever meet our clients face to face, yet our clients know that through these actions they are loved – and that means so very much.  We talk of actions speaking louder than words and in this case it is completely true.

For women and young girls who have experienced intense and prolonged hardship, hurt or abuse the knowledge of a community who care enough to give up time to be kind and caring makes a huge impact.

This month we held a special drop-in session providing an opportunity for our clients to express thanks for the support received, they wrote “for all your love I thank you.”  “Thanks so much for showing us love and support – may God grant you and your families love always”.

Be part of the good news …

You can contact A Way Out via www.awayout.co.uk, 01642 655071 or email info@awayout.co.uk

Written by Anita, General Manager

Wrong Direction...Wrong Destination

Recently I collected a friend from the airport.  The first time I had driven this 2 hour journey alone.  Assisted by navigation equipment, all ran smoothly until I arrived in the vast expanse of the airport.  In the confusion of multiple road signs, heavy traffic and unfamiliar surroundings, I attempted to drive to Terminal 2, but found myself heading directly to Terminal 1 – trapped in a busy flow of unyielding traffic, no opportunity to stop or change course – heading in the wrong direction to the wrong destination. 

The automated voice that had guided me to this point was demanding  ‘perform a U-Turn where possible’, my friend, now in arrivals, was ringing my mobile … my stress levels were rising and still I could not change direction.   Thankfully the situation was easily remedied.  I pushed a button at the exit of Terminal 1 and explained my situation to a friendly voice who directed me back on route.

Moving into adulthood alone can feel like navigating through unfamiliar surroundings - with many things and people influencing direction and raising stress levels, it can be all too easy to steer off course.

A Way Out’s Blossom project is a guiding voice that can pull up alongside vulnerable young women to provide a supportive navigation system to put lives back on track.  Many local agencies and organisations make referrals each month to direct the path of struggling young women towards our Blossom project.  By offering support and guidance A Way Out’s Blossom team empower young women to stop in their tracks, make changes in direction and head of on a new, exciting and positive route.

Written by Anita Burke, General Manager

All will be well...

It’s now 6 years since I stood in a hospital pre-op room waiting for an operation that would save my life.  Shedding my warm familiar clothing, I folded myself into the impersonal hospital gown, knowing that I would not be the one to remove it. 

I climbed onto the plastic coated mattress of the hospital trolley, hidden behind drawn curtains that obscured the clinical visuals but heighted the clinical soundscape.  Alone I waited, with my thoughts louder than my surroundings.  Should I let in the fear?  Just for the count of 10?  I open my mind and my heart feels exposed.  1…2…3…4…5… it's too much to bear, I close the door on my fear and focus on what I know to be true.  I know I am loved, I know I am safe and in good hands and ultimately, I know that all will be well – and it was.

Today I work with an amazing team of colleagues at A Way Out charity.  The organisation supports vulnerable women, young people and families many of whom have faced their own fears.

We hear of the experience of young women who also find themselves in unfamiliar rooms wearing clothing they know someone else will remove. Who climb upon a plastic coated mattress – but this one is lying on a dirty floor.  Curtains are drawn.  With thoughts, louder than their surroundings and warped by alcohol they feel exposed and afraid.  Trying to focus upon what they know to be true – no one loves me, I’m not safe … but maybe these hands upon by body right now belong to someone who will love and care for me, maybe all will be well?… but it isn’t…

The role of A Way Out is to reach out, intervene, prevent further harm and provide support to empower and enable safe and secure lives…  we do this through our Liberty and Blossom services working together to encourage a future where all will be well.  

You too can support these services with donations of food, toiletries, financial support or by donating your time by volunteering.  For further information please contact 01642 655071 or via our website www.awayout.co.uk.

Written by Anita Burke, General Manager

'Fake News'

'Fake News' is a phrase that many of us have become familiar with - news with no basis in fact, created for dramatic effect - the direct opposite of truth.

'Fake News' is so much a part of our current lives that it could cause us to question all incoming information - looking for assurity - searching for information and evidence to endorse it as TRUTH.


TRUTH is valued at A Way Out - information received on a daily basis, based on truth, shapes every aspect of the organisation.

The biblical verse, John 8:32, states that 'the truth will set you free' and the hope of lived lived in freedom from addiction, poverty, homelessness and exploitation is the very driving force of A Way Out.  Our tag line Love, Hope, Freedom encompasses the very nature of our ethos which is based upon Christian values.

In our daily contact with clients, fake news is not something that we come across.  The hard truths of poverty, homelessness, exploitation and addictions are very real.  The realities that we see every day shape our services and assist in developing interventions and prevention for vulnerable women and young people in our area.  Learning from these facts also influence A Way Out's service development in our work with young people and families to guide and steer all towards brighter futures.

It is important, also, to recognise the truth that A Way Out cannot do this alone.  The organisation's dedicated and skilled staff are supported by a committed and faithful team of trained and highly valued volunteers.  Supporters can help to provide additional provisions such as food parcels, toiletries and other essential items that are part of the truth behind the needs of lives experiencing hardship.  Our regular monthly givers are immensely valued and vital to our daily support to clients.

There are always opportunities to support A Way Out, visit our website for more information.

Success

2 years ago A Way Out celebrated the outcome of a successful grant application.  This specific funding supports our Blossom Service created from feedback and ideas shared by clients of our established and successful Liberty Service. Whilst grateful for the intensive and highly effective support we provide, these women shared a wish to have met A Way Out much earlier in their lives – BEFORE circumstances led to exploitation, destructive addictions and a chaotic existence…

 

Our Blossom service, born from these wishes, supports and advocates for today’s vulnerable and at risk younger women in our local area.   Blossom provides intervention and prevention support in their young lives NOW.

Our Blossom staff are a hard working team, dedicated to enabling and empowering young women to make real and lasting changes for a positive future.  We work alongside young women ensuring that they are not facing challenges alone, we share in their progress – celebrate with them in their victories and encourage them through disappointments.  Blossom is supported by trained volunteers who generously share their time to help facilitate our drop-in activities and outreach sessions.

Today we are celebrating another answer to prayer – a need uncovered by our intensive work with this younger group of women.  Young, lonely, isolated and vulnerable women with disabilities can be at particular risk of exploitation, however, thanks to the generous support of a local foundation we are now be able to offer these particular young women skilled, specialist one to one support as part of our Blossom service. 

We are currently recruiting to this specialist post  – take a look at our website for further details and where you will also find information about other ways you can support the work of A Way Out.

Trust

When a pet dog is chastised, the response can clearly show comprehension of something bad happening.  Without actually understanding the words used, the owner’s tone of voice and body language alone can convey frustration and perhaps even anger.   The dog may tremble and cower in response.  Unnecessary repeated scolding results in the pet becoming nervous, withdrawn, jumpy and anxious – trust is lost.

Imagine then, a child experiencing a figure that threatens, a figure that says “whatever happens must remain their little secret”; a child who, unlike the pet, does understand every hurtful word; a child who responds as – nervous, withdrawn, jumpy and anxious.  Trust is lost … and when this happens repeatedly the world becomes a lonely, fearful place.

At A Way Out distrust can be one of the first barriers to overcome.  We meet women whose childhood experience has shaped the rest of their lives and have sometimes led to entrenched harmful and risk-taking behaviours - trust placed in the numbing effect of alcohol or substance abuse.

The patient, non-judgmental approach of A Way Out enables our staff to gradually build up genuine, supportive relationships with clients.  We are there when things go right and still there when things go wrong, offering a consistent, caring, compassionate, professional support.  Clients trust us and have faith in all that A Way Out stands for.

Recently one grateful client commented, “Fear knocked at the door and faith answered”.

If you would like to know more about the work of this charity, would like to volunteer or offer financial support please go to www.awayout.co.uk or telephone 01642 655071

Courage

One definition of the word courage describes “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger or pain WITHOUT fear” – but surely isn’t real courage the ability to experience such danger or pain WITH fear, and still face it head on?

A Way Out is a courageous organisation – a charity that has stood the test of time for the past 16 years.

A Way Out has courageous workers who support clients when they are in danger and in pain; engaging, empowering  and equipping vulnerable women, families and young people to live lives free from harm, abuse and exploitation and to reduce life limiting choices and behaviour.

Fear is part of everyday life for A Way Out and for many third sector organisations – fear for future financial survival in an economy where funding opportunities are reduced and competition for remaining funding pots is high; fear of not being able to meet the needs of our clients when demands increase and capacity is stretched; fear for the very existence of our clients as they struggle with so many life limiting issues… yet A Way Out and our clients face that fear and with courage and continue to succeed.

Sir Winston Churchill once said that “courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen” - this is A Way Out – intervention, prevention and  listening  - mustering courage and, through trust and relationship, instilling the same courage in those we seek to help.

At A Way Out We Support

At A Way Out we support our clients, be they women, young people or families – all year round – and we make sure that we celebrate with them landmarks in their progress – this could be a young mum gaining the self-esteem to confidently step outside of her own home and attend an appointment unaccompanied; a young person having the courage to forget their past and follow their dreams;  a young woman securing accommodation of her own and living independently; or a woman celebrating freedom from drug addiction.  Each milestone is a victory to rejoice in and a moment to be remembered.

It is often the small things that make a real difference to how someone can be feeling – whether they are struggling with a bad day, or excited over a personal victory.  Receiving an unexpected gift can be that one thing that makes a huge difference to their day.  Sometimes that gift can be as simple as being on the receiving end of a kind smile, a friendly nod and a simple ‘Hello’.

Being in the position to pass on a gift, especially when it is unexpected, is a real ‘feel good’ moment – both for the giver and the receiver.

Here’s a challenge to be that person who lifts the spirits of others, to be that person who offers a kindly smile and make a change someone’s day.

Each year at A Way Out we aim to collect around 200 donated chocolate eggs to gift our clients to help to lift their spirits at Easter and let them know that they are loved.  If you would like to help by contribute  an egg or make a donation towards the work of A Way Out please get in touch via our email info@awayout.co.uk or 01642 655071.

International Women's Day

International Women’s Day this week is an opportunity for women to look back and celebrate all that we have achieved so far. It is also an excellent platform to use as a catalyst for further change and gender equality; to reach out and embrace womanhood across the globe and across the North East.

The theme this year is “Press for Progress” a call to action to press forward and progress gender parity.

At A Way Out we are very aware of the girls and women who struggle to realise their true potential. We are aware of the harm, trauma, sexual exploitation and abuse that many women experience and are still subjected to. We advocate, support and strive every day to empower women and girls enabling them to speak up, speak out, recover and realise their ambitions.

Over the next two weeks A Way Out staff and volunteers will be celebrating with the women and girls with whom we work in order to recognise women’s life journeys  and achievements made to date. We will take time out to recognise those who fought for our right to vote and will be showing the Suffragette film. The women with whom we work with will also be encouraged to recognise and celebrate their own achievements and accomplishments. We will be joining together to identify the work that is still left to be done to bring about true gender parity.

A Way Out will be delivering specially themed workshops focussing upon the issue of sexual exploitation and the learning from Operation Sanctuary.  The workshops will inform our local service delivery, alongside providing a safe space for women to share their own experiences and to galvanise collective action to bring an end to this exploitation.

A Way Out’s Staff, volunteers and clients will be joining in the movement to “press for progress”.

“The Story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights” Gloria Steinem.

Team work...

Recently, our General Manager, Anita, attended a meeting with the fabulous focus of working in ‘UNITY’.  Church Leaders from the area discussed a collaborative approach to supporting the whole of the Tees Valley in what they called a ‘City Vision’.  It was truly exciting to share ideas around being united together, utilising and sharing individual and collective skills for the common good. 

‘Team work makes the dream work’, ‘alone we can do a little, together we can do much’ - it is this very team spirit that enables organisations such as A Way Out  to strive towards our aim; - to engage, empower and equip vulnerable and excluded women, families and young people to live lives free from harm, abuse and exploitation and to reduce life limiting choices and behaviour.

An issue faced by the women engaged with our Liberty and Blossom service is that of ISOLATION.  These women have had their trust in others stripped away as a result of their experiences of abuse and exploitation.  They can feel alone with a loss of strength and can struggle to find a vision of hope for their future.  Isolation can also be an issue for some of the young people we support through our Youth & Families Services.

A Way Out’s staff team , supported by our team of dedicated volunteers, work to deliver our aim through evening outreach, daytime drop-ins and group sessions – together in unity we enable life changing things to happen.  This teamwork enables and encourages our clients to rebuild their trust in others, to build up their own strength and to see their own positive life vision.

We are currently striving to recruit more volunteers for our Youth and Blossom Services if you or anyone you know of anyone who may be interested please ask that they get in touch with us or go to our website and download an application form.  All it takes to join our teams is a quick interview, 4 short training sessions and a DBS check!

Easter is fast approaching too and we will be collecting chocolate Easter Eggs to present to our clients - it would be great if you would consider donating an egg or two!!

 

Memories...

As we start 2018, A Way Out's General Manager, Anita, is reminiscing about dancing with TV star Ashley Banjo and the Street Dance group Diversity seem like a very distant memories; indeed the filming for the TV show took place way back in 2013!  The rehearsals were an unforgettable experience which provided excitement and a welcome energy boost; involvement also fuelled her passion for the town and people of Stockton on Tees. 

Taking part in the show 5 years ago proved that it is possible to achieve the unexpected. Anita never imagined that she would ever be street dancing with a professionals on national TV (especially only 6 months out of chemotherapy treatment) and she says that the experience opened her eyes to the potential life changing benefits of ‘stepping out’ of her comfort zone. 

At A Way Out we are continually impressed by the variety of people who support the work of our organisation.  Our outreach and prevention work, supporting some of the area’s most vulnerable women, families and young people, captures the hearts of people who genuinely wish to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others.

Supporters have stepped out in confidence to raise funds and donations for A Way Out – like Freya, a young girl from a local school who rallied her classmates to buy homemade cookies; or Ivy who regularly encourages her keep fit class members to donate gifts for our clients; or Steve who, after 18 years of 6^th Form teaching, chose to challenge colleagues to donate food for our food parcels in lieu of a leaving gift; or staff from local industry who fundraised for us for a whole 12 months. 

The delivery of our services to women involved in the night time economy of Stockton and also our work with local young people could not happen without the valuable time and effort of our fantastic team of volunteers.  We are currently looking to add to this wonderful group of people.  If you wish to make 2018 the year that you step out to make a difference in the lives of others, please get in touch via info@awayout.co.uk or 01642 655071.

www.awayout.co.uk