It is no secret that I’ve been really upset by many things
our government is doing in the name of austerity. It feels like there is a
conspiracy to protect & enrich the wealthiest in society while
systematically attacking the most vulnerable. This frequently turns me into
ranty Steph, which isn’t a great look for me.
Part of me knows that our government isn’t full of evil Bond
villain types that sit in big swivel chairs rubbing their hands together, gleefully laughing as they plot the downfall of the everyday man. Just because they
are putting forward laws & actioning cuts that will heartlessly and
viciously make the life of many of the most vulnerable in society that much
more of a struggle, that does not mean that they themselves are heartless,
vicious bastards. They probably mean well and sleep the sleep of the righteous
thinking that they are doing their best for society. Right? I have to try to believe that to keep
my faith in humanity alive. Plus I think reducing the conversation to name
calling and finger pointing is exactly why our political system isn’t working. Many Commons debates wouldn’t be out of place
in a primary school playground (sorry but small kids can be just as mean, let’s
not sugar coat childhood)
Why am I sharing the above thoughts? Because I’ve realised that
we can easily be distracted by all the anger these policies are creating and
are, as a result, focusing too much of
our energy in the wrong place. I still believe that we should protest against these
changes, use our indignation to speak up for the most vulnerable. But that
should not use up ALL our energy.
On Monday (15th July) a friend of mind invited me
to the opening of Emmaus Lambeth’s Brixton shop. If calling it a shop is really
doing it justice, but more on that subject later. He had been working with them
on the launch. I’ll confess to knowing nothing about Emmaus until I looked at
the website after receiving his email.
What I read made me book the afternoon off work so that I could attend.
You can find their site here: http://www.emmaus.org.uk/
In a simple snap shot Emmaus provide:
- a way for the homeless to get off the streets, learn new skills & feel like part of society again
- help and support for the local community
- restored furniture/white goods for those most in need in the community or to be sold on to raise money to support the Charity
What I discovered on Monday is that the shop in Lambeth has
been opened as part of a joint project with the council: a council who are on
the front line dealing with many of the cuts that are making me (for one) so
angry. They have seen what Emmaus can do
and how that can provide a practical & cost efficient solution to help many
of the most vulnerable within their own borough.
This isn’t about the opening of a furniture shop. It is
about an organisation that has given homeless people a second chance: the
opportunity, through their own hard work, to earn money & have a home. While also creating hubs for the local
community, places they can go to when they are in need.
It was great to hear Lib Peck from Lambeth Council talk about
the relationship with Emmaus and the positive impact the opening of Emmaus
Lambeth’s Brixton shop is going to have on the borough. It made me feel very humble. For all my raging
against the government, what have I done that is actually helping the people
that I’m so indignantly defending? Naff all is the honest answer.
So I’ve made a promise to myself. Instead of howling at the
moon (although I cannot promise NO howling at all, not ready to go cold Turkey
& those petitions needs to be signed), I’m going to take time to think. If
things aren’t going to get any better (and the reality is they aren’t, the forecasts
I’ve seen are terrifying in terms of number of people expected to be living in
poverty in Britain in the next 10 years),
what can I do to help? I can’t trust the
government to fix it. They may not be Machiavellian villains but, at a National
level at least, they are part of the problem.
I do, however, know lots of very smart & caring people (including
those of you reading this blog – yes you!). Surely if we all stopped & took
inspiration from the folk at Emmaus, maybe we could find ways that we could help
too. It is worth a shot, right?
