This Post Needs No Introduction

Need I say more?

Love from A Way Out x

In the beginning...

You may have noticed that over the last couple of weeks we've been posting on YouTube an interview I did with Jessie, finding out a bit more about how A Way Out started and where is it going in the future. And you can now watch all three parts of the video right here:

Jessie talks her inspiration to found A Way Out and shares some of the stories that most impacted her decision.

So what happened next? How did the dream become a reality? How has it changed over the years?

And what's coming next?! A Way Out has an exciting future. Listen in to some of Jessie's dreams...

We don't think much more needs to be said here! Have a watch, get inspired and as always let us know what you think!

Love from A Way Out x

"The True Price of Alcohol"

Who else watched Inside Out North East and Cumbria on Monday night? 

It was a fascinating and worrying insight into the binge drinking culture of the North-East and the impact that this has on our health, the health of those around us and the strain it puts on the NHS. These are some of the scary statistics to come out of the program:

If you get a chance to watch it, you can follow the link to iplayer here but it will only to available until 8pm on Monday 16th January.

The program started off by focussing on the NHS and the way that its service is compromised by the number of alcohol-related incidents it has to deal with every year. It also discussed the issue of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), a little know but serious condition which can cause a child to be born with life-long brain damage if the mother has been drinking whilst pregnant. Finally, Mike Parr from BBC Radio Tees undertook a one month fast from his usual 37 units of alcohol a week and went teetotal for the whole of December. When he began drinking again he found that his craving from alcohol had reduced and he was able to reduce his general intake per week.

There is so much more that I could say but the best thing is probably for you to watch this yourselves. It's only 30 minutes long and well worth it if you are concerned about the local culture of binge drinking, if you know someone who struggles to drink safely or if you yourself find this a difficulty.

This all seems like a lot of bad news but there is a way forward! A Way Out has been aware of this issue for a long time. We work with clients on a daily basis who struggle with binge drinking and we see complete transformation in their lives. At the end of November we employed a new member of staff whose role is to reach and support young women who are struggling to control their drinking habits. Partnering with local specialist organisations we provide the support needed to help these young women to reach their goals of safe, healthy and whole lives for themselves and their families.

If you would like to do something to help then there are so many ways in which you can support A Way Out so we can continue to transform Teesside. To find out more, visit our website.

Love from A Way Out x

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

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

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

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