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

Photos from the annual A Way Out Ball!

Here are the much awaited photos from the our Black and White Winter Ball last Saturday! It was such a spectacular evening and we're so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make it a success and for our supporters' generosity on the night.

The Ball was all about celebrating the life-changing work carried out by A Way Out in Teesside. Our black and white theme wasn't just for aesthetic purposes (although I'm sure you'll agree that the room looked fantastic!) but symbolised the journey our clients take as they find a way out of challenging circumstances.

Karen Heritage Studio Ltd choreographed a fantastic performance that told the story of those we work with as they move from a place of darkness to a place of light and hope. (The video of this will be uploaded once it is edited!) And an audio clip produced by James Mountford from BBC Tees which was played on the night will also be available to hear soon. It really is worth a listen.

But for now, you can check out the photos:

 Thank you so much to everyone who attended, helped and supported us. You helped make this night one that will be remembered for a long time.

Love from A Way Out x

Alcohol Awareness Week

Hospital admissions linked to alcohol use have more than doubled in the UK over the last 10 years to over 200, 000 last year and there has been a 20% increase in GP's making prescriptions for alcohol dependence in the last 4 years.

Around 95% of alcoholics die from their disease and approximately 26 years earlier than their normal life expectancy.

Drunk driving is responsible of approximately 50% of motorway deaths.

A study of 11 and 12 year old school kids showed that those who demonstarted an awareness of beer ads, held more positive beliefs about drinking and intended to drink more frequently when they grow up.

A Way Out exists to reach out to vulnerable and at risk women and young people which includes those who suffer from alcohol addiction and those at risk of alcoholism so these issues are high on our agenda. This week is Alcohol Awareness Week and so our project workers have been devoting themselves especially to raising awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse in schools, colleges and at our own centre, The Gate.

Yesterday at The Gate during our Wednesday drop-in, rooms were set up with various activities around awareness of alcohol and how to drink safely and responsibly. There were alcohol worksheets and quizzes testing the girls' knowledge on alcohol consumption and safe habits as well as the chance to make their own non-alcoholic cocktails and our fantastic staff led discussions on ways of lowering levels and keeping safe when drinking e.g. going out with people you can trust, not mixing drinks and sexual health when out drinking.

Driving in beer goggles!

Mixing up some safe cocktails

For advice on safe drinking you might like to visit:

http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/
http://www.awayout.co.uk/how-we-can-help-you/

Love from A Way Out x

(Statistics taken from http://www.alcoholism-and-drug-addiction-help.com/alcoholism-statistics.html)

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

MAD for A Way Out!

Our I'm Making A Difference (I'm MAD) for A Way Out campaign has been slowing building this autumn. We've been selling merchandise, some of your have been wearing our I'M MAD hoodies and t-shirts and we are very excited now to be launching our first MAD fundraising event!

In February, we're looking for a whole crowd of mad supporters to launch themselves off of the Transporter Bridge, all in the name of charity. You might go feet-first by abseiling down the side or just dive off head-first on the end of a bungee rope! And if you are completely crazy then why not do both?! (Special discounts will be on offer for those brave another to accept the double-challenge.)

So what are you waiting for? Start fundraising now and you'll be amazed and how much you could raise by February. The money will go straight into transforming lives around Teesside, bringing hope, freedom and wholeness. If you don't think that this challenge is for you then maybe you know someone else who will be up for it? Pass on the message so we can make a difference.

Download a booking form today for abseiling or bungee jumping (or both!) from our website and you'll be well on the way to becoming a life changer. We look forward to hearing from you...

Love from A Way Out x

Guest Blogger: Gaynor

Hi my name is Gaynor and I’m part of the Women’s Outreach team. I started at A Way Out in November 2010 along with Rachel when we re-started the Women’s Outreach project and I now stalk women on a daily basis!!!

My role is to support vulnerable women in whatever way is needed; basically we see ourselves as the lynch pin that connects all other agencies working with the service user to enable a wall of support to be built around them. The service users come from all walks of life; we have no limits, we’ll take them all! We have no daily routine, no really, we don’t! Our days can consist of court visits, multi-agency meetings, or just simply sitting and having a coffee and a chat.

Our project has grown massively in the last year from chasing women down the street with expletives thrown at us to them now coming to us for help. Although the job can be draining I love it especially when you’re told, “You are the biggest support in my life, I don’t know what I would do without you”. The role is hard but it is so worthwhile when you see women exiting their chaotic lives and re-joining society and their families. Although such major breakthroughs are not every week, they are becoming more frequent. For so long the women we work with have lived on the fringes of society, I’m so proud to be able to give them a way back in.  

Love from A Way Out x

The Biggest Event of the Year!

You can now reserve your place for the A Way Out Ball!

We've been planning this for a while now and it's so exciting that it's getting closer! In just over six weeks, we will be hosting an exclusive Black and White Winter Ball at Judges Hotel in Cleveland. Tickets are limited so it really pays to be organised for this one.

This is the perfect way to fight off those approaching winter chills with a Champagne Reception, Portrait Photography, Three-Course Dinner, Live Musical Entertainment, Dance Performances, Raffle, great company and a magical atmosphere. We'd love it if you could be there! Come with that special someone or come with a crowd and book a table (10 people).

This isn't just an excuse for a really good time though. All profits raised from the Ball will go straight into the work of A Way Out to bring hope, freedom and wholeness to all the clients we work with at the moment and to all those women and young people that we're yet to meet. We're really passionate about what we do so you can expect us to talk about that a little bit too!

If this is right up your street then get in touch. Send us an email at fundraiser@awayout.co.uk or give Sarah Jane our fundraiser a call on 07776485823.

Love from A Way Out x