A Way Out charity
normally stands shoulder to shoulder with our staff, with volunteers and
with supporters – reaching out, supporting and transforming the lives of some
of the most vulnerable women, young people and families in Teesside. But whilst social distancing, homeworking and
‘lockdown’, shoulder to shoulder is no longer a safe position. The organisation has made weekly food parcel deliveries
maintaining the required distance, and sustained contact, support and safety
planning with clients remotely via phone, text or social media, but doing this shoulder
to shoulder has not been permissible or safe.
We have all
struggled with the 2m rule putting space between ourselves and friends and family. But one thing can still happen personally
between 2 people at a safe 2m distance… it can happen with those we are well
acquainted, with those we love, with colleagues, with those we support
professionally … even with strangers we pass on the street. One thing that we can do is meet their gaze,
eye to eye, and give a nod or a smile… a friendly encouragement that we are all
in this together no matter who we are, or where we are.
When we
distributed crisis parcels this week, our staff did not just deliver food and
toiletries, they delivered a strong and valuable message to our clients who are
battling with very real, challenging and tough impacts of social
isolation. A message delivered eye to
eye, meeting their gaze, giving assurance that they are not invisible, that
they matter and are loved.
For Christians
Easter is a time when eyes gaze upon the cross and then turn to the empty tomb
with a message that we all matter and we are all loved.
Especially at this
time we encourage you to meet someone’s gaze, share a smile – it’s permitted
even when you are more than 2 metres apart!
