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