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HowThe Light Gets In

Spring 20212nd edition

Content

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Welcome Readers: Helen Allmark 4-5Volunteer Viewpoint: Jan Syme 6-7

Hobbies That Can Raise I.Q.: Ste Preston 8-15The Park: Andy 16-17

Gobekli Tepe: Turkey’s Ancient Enigma: Ste Preston 18-23Here I Am: Lee Hughes 24-25

Bohemian Rhapsody Film Review: Andy 26-27

The Adventures of Radiant Man: Lee Hughes 28-29

Hero’s Journey: Ashleigh Nugent (interview), members and staff 30-35

National Day of Reflection: Lestari 36

Hope Springs Eternal: Lestari 37Universal Basic Income: Paula Currie 38-41

Bowie at Glastonbury: Andy 42-43

World Book Day: Andy and Ste Preston 44-49

Home: Sarah Randle and Andy 50-51Remembering You: Paula Currie 52-53

Hoping for Brighter Days: Helen Allmark 54-55

Photograph: Sarah, Crisis member

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Shortly after the restrictions began last year agroup of Crisis Skylight Merseyside members andstaff came together and decided to begin thismagazine project. Members wanted to have a creativeproject to work on and share with others. Theproject involved members, staff and volunteersworking together and gave us a way to stayconnected and focused on something positive duringthe uncertainty of the year. The first edition ofHow The Light Gets In was printed in December 2020and was delivered to hundreds of people, it is alsoavailable online here

We invite contributions of art, articles,photography, poetry, creative writing and are opento new ideas for content. For more informationplease contact: merseyside.magazine@crisis.org.uk.

Now as we start to emerge from the year we’ve had,and look forward to restrictions easing, we offeryou this second edition on the theme of hope,heroes and writing our own stories and futures.

From all of the How The Light Gets In team, we hopeyou find enjoyment, inspiration and entertainment inthese pages.

Artwork: Ste Preston and Andy, Crisis members Photograph: Paula Currie, Crisis Arts Co-ordinator

Voluntee

r

Viewpoin

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It was lovely to meet new faces and we were introducedto the characters we were to play in the short filmwhich was called Putting Down Roots. The storylinefollowed ‘Jeff’’, who had become homeless, was placed ina B&B due to Covid and eventually found a flat due tointervention from Crisis. However, things don’t go assmoothly as they should. Check out the film we made here

Based on a real situation, the film raises awareness ofthe misconceptions of how homelessness can happen.

Our scripts were delivered to us and we had severalread-throughs, adapting and re-wording until we wereall happy that the story felt ‘real’ to us. Gradually,we gained confidence and our performances improved untilwe felt ready to shoot. Tony – the Crisis mediachampion, recorded the scenes, adding a musical score,intro text and a cast list.

Staff members were invited to our premiere but, sadly,there was no popcorn or red carpet, so we had to makedo by providing our own tea and biscuits at home.There were smiles all round as we gave our final nods ofapproval and, despite the cameo appearance of my doublechin, I was delighted with the result. Despite it beingtheir first experience of performing, our fellow castmembers did a marvellous job.

Let’s hope that our efforts prove useful in raisingawareness of anti-homelessness discrimination andencourage more member participation on similar dramaprojects. The film could even possibly be used inHousing Association training.

We are hoping that we get to meet our new friends inperson, once lockdown is completely over. We’ve reallyenjoyed our first experience of volunteering for Crisis.You can find out how to volunteer for Crisis below, ifit’s something that you’d like to try. We hope youenjoy it as much as we do.

Jan Syme – Crisis Skylight Merseyside Volunteer

One performance in which I played a cleaner - needed meto access the stage up a central ramp. My mobilityscooter was adapted to resemble a sit-on floor polisherand I ascended the ramp with a ‘WARNING Cleaners atWork’ sign on the back of my seat, which made for aninteresting entrance!

Following this I supported Paula on a number ofprojects as a volunteer along with my husband John.Paula thought we’d be ideal for her new drama projectand got in touch. We were delighted to be signed up asCrisis volunteers by Lauren, the Merseyside VolunteerCoordinator. Our role involved supporting Paula and herdrama group members with making a zoom short film whichaimed to raise awareness of the continuing socialstigma associated with homelessness. Despite my limitedtechnical ability, we both signed up immediately.

If you would like more information about volunteeringwith Crisis Skylight Merseyside please contactmerseyside@crisis.org.uk or call 0151 218 7000

A couple of months ago I received a very welcome emailfrom a good friend asking if I’d be interested involunteering for a drama project that she was runningfor Crisis.

Following lockdown, my husband and I were desperate toget back to socialising and meeting people again andPaula gave us our first opportunity.

We first met Paula shortly after I started needing touse a wheelchair. I often felt isolated and, by chance,I discovered that she ran community drama classes. Theywere such fun and easily accessible. I soon made greatfriends and my self-confidence grew. So much so, that Itook part in many community performances.

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9

Hobbiesthatcan

raiseI.Q.

Learning a new musical instrument (9.70% IQ increase)1

Photograph: Tony Mallon, Crisis Photography Tutor

Learning a musical instrumentproduced the biggestdifference between the before-and-after test scores. It wasdiscovered that this practiceengages every part of thebrain at the same time,whilst also increasing theactivity within the corpuscallosum – the bridge thatconnects the two hemispheresof the brain.

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Arts and Crafts (9.68)2

It may be that the leisure activitiesthat many of us have taken up, or donemore of during lockdown, have increasedour intelligence. A survey of 4,694volunteers by DIYS.com has found thatgardening, knitting and reading areamong the pursuits that can boost ourIQ.

“I hadn’t drawnanything sinceschool, but reallyenjoyed therelaxed chat ofthe art class andeven got mypicturespublished.”Crisis Art Class member

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Exercising (7.37)3

Participants took an IQ test beforeand after doing a range of activities,with the difference between the twoscores being taken as an indication ofthe degree to which the brains of theparticipants were stimulated. In second and third place in the

study came knitting and exercising,respectively, with both stimulatingimproved brain engagement. 71% 0fknitters in the study said that asession with the clacking needleshelped with their concentration,whilst those who exercised werefound to have an increased capacityfor memory.

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Reading (7.07)4 A spokesperson for DIYS.com stated: “As the

study shows, arts and crafts, among othermobility-training activities, can improve ourmood alongside developing our cognitiveskills. Without realising, these activitiesare improving our emotional wellbeing as wellas making us smarter.”So, if you’re looking for a hobby that canboost your brainpower, maybe you could pickfrom the full range of pursuits tested in thestudy which are listed below, alongside theirattributed percentage increase in IQ score.

5) Practicing meditation (6.38)6) Learning a new language (5.88)7) Gardening (5.10)8) Online video gaming (4.80)9) Making/editing videos (4.26)11) Writing/blogging (4.12)12) Colouring in an art book (4.00)13) Daily journaling (3.30)14) Playing a new boardgame (2.00)15) Sewing (1.20)

“The relaxation class takes meout of myself and always leavesme with a feeling of peace.”Crisis Relaxation Class member

Can hear an

ice cream van

playing greensleeves

which is always sweet

in this virus infestedworld ...

and some birdsong

tweeting with barking

I am becoming more

attuned to the sounds

The Park is quite quiet

Some people are

sitting on the grass

talking quietly

and earnestly

others are knocking

a ball about

gentle slaps

There are quite

a few dogs about

A spaniel

has lost his ball

and runs

maybe in an

intelligent pattern

maybe not

to find his ball

Can't hear the traffic

on the main road

maybe the headphones

noise cancelling ....

actively

Photograph and Poem:Andy, Crisis member

The Park

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GOBEKLI TEPE: TURKEY’S ANCIENT ENIGMAArticle: Ste Preston, Crisis member

The discovery of the stone-age structures unearthedby the excavation of Gobekli Tepe, in south-easternTurkey, has upended our understanding of thedevelopment of human society and civilisation.Tradition had it that human settlement resultedfrom the development of agriculture, which provideda stable food source for the growth of humanpopulations, and thus society. The construction ofGobekli Tepe, though, was begun by hunter-gatherersat the end of the last ice-age, and is of a scalewhich must have required enormous collaborativeeffort – over the space of three millennia.The prehistoric mound of Potbelly Hill - GobekliTepe in Turkish - had protruded from the northernedge of the Fertile Crescent since long before thetime of Sumer – and the invention of writing thatflowed from that founding civilisation of theregion. Littered atop with broken slabs oflimestone, the site had been dismissed as amedieval graveyard following an initialanthropological investigation in the 1960’s.To the eye of German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt,though, who first visited the site in 1994, themound appeared man-made, and he returned with ateam of five archaeologists to begin a full-scaleexcavation in 1995. Schmidt’s dig soon began touncover standing stones, some so shallow that theirtops were scored by plough blades; and what he andhis team found, over the next few months of theshort digging season, displayed architecture andart way in advance of the presumed capabilities ofhunter-gatherer societies.A one-acre site, comprising 5% of the 300 metres-wide complex - has been excavated so far andexhibits massive standing stones, up to 5 metreshigh, with estimates of their weight rangingbetween 8 and 10 tons, surrounded by rings ofslightly smaller stones which support cappingstones thought to weigh in the region of 4 tonsthemselves.

Not having found any evidence ofhuman habitation at the site,Schmidt believes that Gobekli Tepewas a centre of religiousobservance; and that the siteoverall comprises a series oftemples. Ground-penetrating radarand geomagnetic surveys haverevealed constructions in a furthertwenty locations within the complexwhich have yet to be investigated.Art abounds within Gobekli Tepe.Everywhere there are representationsof vultures, lions, foxes andscorpions. Human faces are carvedinto the capping stones of thesmaller monoliths; while bas-reliefsculptures of snakes and lizardstwist and crawl over the broad sidesof the pillars. Flooring of polishedlime has been found in thisdevotional site, and all of thisachieved by the use of flint tools.

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Planted firmly, deep undergroundGrasping roots taking holdSprouting out, a sudden shoot, rushingHigh for the skyA single way, until many branches are racingUp and upA spring of blossom, true growth emergingNew heights conquered and standing tallFor many more years, I stand and growNo stopping now to many startsThe weakness breaksAnd fallsA season to refresh, glowing strengthEmpowering motivationGoing for the starsAs the seed given, granted the beginningFor ME.Here I Am

Lee Hughes - Crisis member

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Bohemian Rhapsody is a very accurateportrait of Freddie Mercury and the bandQueen, centred around their titular 6 minutehit. The cast are all very good, capturingthe essence of the real life characters,from Freddie played by Rami Malek throughthe band to their families and recordcompany execs.

Particularly interesting is Tom Hollander'sportrayal of their music lawyer, who becomesone of their biggest champions despite beingappointed by the record company. Headvocates the track Bohemian Rhapsodydespite its length at 6 minutes, at a timewhen only 3 minute tracks got radio play.Eventually he takes over as the band’smanager.

Freddie's loneliness in not having a familylike the other band members is covered inthe film as is his diagnosis with AIDS. Theclimax of the film is the Live Aid Concert.Many think they were the best act that dayand night.

You can watch the film’s trailer here

Bohemian Rhapsody Film ReviewArticle: Andy, Crisis member Artwork: Ste Preston, Crisis member

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Not good

So yeah that happened and to think that’sonly the start of it. What happened nextwas unreal. I’ll tell you all about it, butfirst I have something to do. Catch yousoon…

The Adventures of Radiant ManBy Lee Hughes, Crisis member

So you’re probably wondering who I am sat herelooking down on the city like so! Well for thatanswer I need to take you back a few months…

To be continued. . .

I’m so hungry andtired. I need tofind somewhere

to rest

Few weeks later…

No, please don’t!

What the @#$%&!

You’re fired!

Few months earlier

Report

It started here. Another day grinding tomake ends meet in a soul draining job.

I’m leavingyou. Th

is is all

your fault. Don

’t comeand

find me.

The Heroʼs journey

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How The Light Gets In interviewed Ashleigh Nugentabout his new book Locks, we also had a great chatabout The Hero’s Journey that we wanted to share:

This is really worth looking into…Joseph Campbell was the world’s most famous evermythologist- somebody who studies myth andreligion- and what he noticed was that anywhere yougo, anywhere in the world, as far back as you wantto go, this same story keeps getting repeated inthe myths and in the religions.He called it The Hero’s Journey.You also see people using this story whether theyknow about The Hero’s Journey or not. They do itkind of unconsciously; the same way that we allhave very similar dreams, similar themes that comeup in dream, and that kind of thing. This stufflives within us because it’s been with us forthousands of years. We’ve been teaching each otheraround the campfire in the same way, everywhere inthe world, for thousands and thousands of years.

So The Hero’s Journey in simple terms… see if yourecognise this:This is Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, RockyBalboa, Mad Max, Hunger Games; this is just aboutevery movie going, ok check it out…1. Ordinary world.It starts at home, there’s your Hero, they’re athome but something’s not right. Harry Potter’sliving under the stairs or whatever, something’snot right.2. Call to adventure.Then there’s a call, something happens that says tothe Hero: ‘You’re gonna have to leave here and gosomewhere else on a journey.’

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3. Refusal of the call.But the Hero tries to refuse. Maybe the family areholding him back. Luke Skywalker’s aunt and uncleare going ‘No you can’t go, you’ve got to stay withus.’ Or Harry Potter’s aunt and uncle are trying tohold him back. Or maybe Rocky’s going ‘I’m notboxing anymore, I hung up my gloves.’ Or thedetective going ‘I hung up my belt years ago.’ Orwhatever it is, you know what I mean. They don’twant to go, some kind of fear, or society holdsthem back.4. Meeting the mentor.Then along comes a mentor. In The Terminator it’sthe dude from the future isn’t it? Someone older orwiser comes along. Obi Wan Kenobi or Hagrid.5. Crossing the threshold.Someone comes along and inspires the Hero to leavethe ordinary world and cross over into the world ofthe adventure.6. Tests, allies, enemies.Then they will be challenged, they will have towork out who are their friends and who are theirenemies, friends become enemies, enemies becomefriends. Like the cop who’s got the new partner whothey hate but then they end up loving them, likeMen In Black, you know what I’m saying?7. Approach.Then they will have to train for some bigchallenge, there’s going to be a big battle or theyhave to find the baddie, or there’s going to besomething that happens that will lead, in some way,to a death and rebirth.8. Ordeal, death & rebirth.Either actual or kind of symbolic, they have toshed the skin and give something up. Rocky Balboanever wins the first fight, he has to get knocked outfirst, yeah?9. Reward, seizing the sword.And then, if he has got the guts to get up afterbeing knocked out and loosing, and goes and trainsand finds out what his power is- his force, his JediForce, his sword, his light saber, hisphilosopher’s stone, his Holy Grail- then he’ll beable to fight on and he’ll defeat the enemy.

www.novel-software.com

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10. The road back.After doing that he will take the journey back homeand he’ll return back home with the Jedi Force, theMagic Elixir, the philosopher’s stone, and he willmake the world a better place.11. Resurrection.He’ll return back home and change the world for thebetter.12. Return with elixir.By having the belt.. change himself for thebetter.. by having the Jedi Force.. change theworld for the better… defeat the Empire…whatever itis.

And that’s the Hero’s Journey.We tell this story because it’s a code to how tolive a successful life, how to overcome thesetbacks, how to get up when you’ve been knockeddown. How to make the most of life and how to usethe difficult things, that may have happened to youin the past, to find your purpose in life and thento self actualise. Not to be what society says youare, not to be what your family says you are, butto be what you know you are. The process of thejourney is the destination ok?

There is no end point to it, you know? It’s livingit that matters. It’s being what you honestly areand as great as you choose to be. Daring to be thebest that you can be in any given moment. Thatdoesn’t mean stressing out that you’re not goodenough or that you haven’t achieved this thing orthat thing, it just means accepting that you dohave power and you’re going to choose to use thatpower. Even if just the power to not take crap offother people and to be ok, when they’d rather seeyou not being ok, or when the system tries to screwyou over; you’re going to be ok anyway!

Listen to more of this interview and conversationabout The Hero's Journey here

For more information about Ash and his work:https://www.riseupcic.co.uk/Crisis member Andy on the summit of Pen-y-ghent in the Yorkshire

Dales. 18 April 2021

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HopeSprings

Eternal

Poster and Photograph: Lestari, Crisis member

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Universal Basic IncomeArticle: Paula Currie, Crisis Arts Co-ordinator

Artwork: Lee Hughes, Crisis member

The Case for Universal Basic Income.As we move out of lockdown it isimportant to acknowledge the impact thatthe pandemic has had on socialinequality. Lockdown brought the hidden‘have nots’ into sharp focus. TheTrussell Trust recently issued astatement which highlighted thesubstantial rise in food bank use duringthe pandemic. They recorded a rise ofover a third. They also distributedover a million emergency food parcels tovulnerable children and young people.As this latest lockdown eases, it’s vitalthat we ensure that these socialinequalities are addressed. In the sameway that The NHS and Welfare State werebrought into being following thehardships that British citizens enduredduring the second world war. This couldbe the ideal opportunity to provideBritish citizens with financial supportfollowing the pandemic and to providethem with a financial safety net in theevent of a resurgence of Covid 19.

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The health benefits are clear. Social and economicbenefits have also been widely reported. Critics of thescheme claim that such schemes ‘discourage people fromworking’ - although a recent Finnish study whichinvolved monthly payments of 560 Euros, actually showeda greater increase in employment for families withchildren. When surveyed recipients also reported betterfinancial well-being, mental health and cognitivefunctioning as well as higher levels of confidence inthe future.

Other criticisms of the scheme include fears thatproviding a basic income will encourage laziness, wouldhave a cost implication higher than the current benefitsystem which would lead to higher taxes. There are alsofears that the scheme would offer welfare support tocriminals and lead to a rise in crime. However, AndyCooke, former Chief Constable of Merseyside Policeactively disagrees with this notion and recently made apublic statement citing poverty as a leading cause ofcrime. So providing people with a basic income is themost effective way of cutting crime. According to AndyCook:

…Reducing poverty and increasing opportunities are thebest way to prevent crime in cities.

A much earlier Canadian study conducted in 1974 whichcalled UBI ‘Mincome’ and focused on addressing ruralpoverty also showed positive benefits. One of therecipients of the scheme Joy Taylor is a strongadvocate of the scheme. She states ‘Knowing that extramoney was coming in made life that bit easier. You nolonger needed to be afraid of paying the bills or whatyou were spending on bills or what you were spending onfood. It gave you that peace of mind’.

Joy’s words have never felt more relevant. UniversalBasic Income is a scheme that would make huge steps inthe ‘levelling up’ aganeda that the government iscurrently focused on.

Universal Basic Income would be a fitting legacy andreward for the hardships and difficulties that we haveall endured during the Pandemic and is something thatwe should lobby the government to consider.

The Government has spent billions on furloughschemes to protect incomes during the crisis. Thishas shown that it can be done – if thecircumstances are right. So should we now beconsidering another way to offer financial protectionfor the population if we enter a third wave?Now could be the ideal time to discuss UniversalBasic Income. If you don’t already know,Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a policy whichmeans that every citizen in the country would beentitled to a regular payment from the state toprovide a net through which individuals cannotfall. This feels absolutely necessary in thecurrent post-lockdown landscape. According to TheBritish Medical Journal:The gulf between the wealthiest and poorest hadbeen increasing even before the Covid-19 virusdestroyed the globe’s health and economies. Recentresearch indicates a growing depth of poverty, andwomen and children are the biggest casualties ofthis deepening divide. The world bank predicts thatthe number of people living in extreme poverty willincrease by 70-100 million in 2021 alone.We should be doing more to mitigate against this.Countries who have trialled UBI have noted a rangeof health, social and economic benefits to thescheme. For example, Finland piloted scheme whichran during 2017-18 recipients of UBI reported lowerrates of depression, loneliness, sadness andoverall mental strain. Additional study in Kenyaproduced similarly positive results.A review of studies focusing on the effects of UBIon health was published in 2020. 27 Studiesreported health benefits, including reducedmortality, improved adult health and increasedprovision of nutrients for low birthweight infants.

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Bowie at Glastonbury is his stage set from 2000.He had recently had laryngitis but still hissinging is terrific in that unique voice.

Bowie’s banter with Glasto fans includes theinsight into his fame, he admits he won't takeoff his jacket because it would spoil his coolensemble, so he swelters in the heatuncomfortably.

The set includes all his classic hits plusnew work and extended versions of songs.It is an excellent roundup of his careerat that time. The set is all the moredoubly poignant with his recent passingand the cancellation of this year'sGlastonbury.

This is a must have live set. Listento Life on Mars from this set here

Bowie at GlastonburyArticle: Andy, Crisis member Artwork: Sarah, Crisis Arts Tutor

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World Book DayPhotograph: Lestari, Crisis member

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We have been reading 'Common People' byvarious authors for World Book Day. This is acompilation of short stories and poems aboutthe British working class.Stuart Maconie is a BBC radio 6 musicpresenter, he does a fairly nostalgic show atthe weekends with Mark Radcliffe. Stuart grewup on a Wigan housing estate as a workingclass boy.Stuart's entry in the compilation 'CommonPeople’ is the short story entitled 'LittleBoxes', the title refers to a song by PeteSeeger, the American folk singer/songwriterthough he didn't write this song!!Stuart's story is a heartfelt love of hisupbringing and the new estate in the moderndesign that ultimately failed. He talks aboutthe chippy, the characters he group up withand the houses which had individuality likethe people. He thinks the song stinks,pompous and narrow- minded!It's a moving entry in the book 'CommonPeople' and achieves its aim to subvertstereotypical thinking.

Little BoxesReview: Andy, Crisis member

Once a month his friend Les (“who has acartoon face that’s real…He blends into thewoodland”) delivers a load of firewood andthey chat together as they chop: “stories oflost lives, bloated floating bodies andslurry-pit drownings”. And on quiet days herecalls the past, “the lost elation of hisyouth. He takes comfort in the myth of theman he once was”.His parents had lived in the house before him– there is an old photograph on themantelpiece of his father presenting a prizebull to the queen – and have now moved tosheltered accommodation: “Death valley hecalls it”. “I’d rather snuff it in the fields”.This man and his life are part of thelandscape and he wouldn’t have it any otherway. He is uncomplaining and completely atpeace with his life – even seeming stoicalabout losing half of his foot in a balingmachine as par for the course: “He knewfarming was a dangerous profession. More menkilled than in the pits or at sea”. Thisman’s life flows like water, taking the pathof least resistance; and like driftwood,he’ll be content with wherever and wheneverthe current leaves him.

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Driftwood by Adelle StripeReview: Ste Preston, Crisis member

Driftwood by Adelle Stripe is the account ofa young woman on a visit to her father in thehouse that she grew up in. The titleimmediately appealed to me and the narrativeis full of things that have been washed upand been left where they have settled. Herein this tiny hamlet of seven houses, wherethe verges are “mapped by discarded milk-shake cartons and rampant convolvulus”, livesthe subject of the story in the “red brickhouse where sheets of tarpaulin flap betweenbroken fence posts”.The account is full of vivid imagery of theflotsam and jetsam of the scavenging life of aretired farm labourer, his chiefpreoccupation being to keep the fire going,whatever the weather: “The fire in the hearthreminds him that he’s alive. He dreads theday he’s no longer able to light it”: “Hespends his days carrying seasoned husks offallen ash, birch and rowan…drags driftwoodfrom the snake bend in the river and stackssnapped branches in funeral pyres along thebanks”.The story is the record of the man’s lifenow, and a memoir of the author’s youngerdays there. Where, in the unheated house withice-fronds on the insides of the windows (afarm labourer’s wages wouldn’t pay for coal),she’d warm the bedroom air every morning witha hairdryer; and she recalls the cheap recordplayer and stacks of vinyl records that wereher one consolation and escape from thegloom: Yet she was looked after here andstill regards it as home.

51Sarah Randle, Crisis Arts Tutor Andy, Crisis member

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I heard that you died todayKing George! You called yourselfFearless, determined, a force of natureDead

I went for a walkTo remember youTo the spot I’d heard there were Kingfishers.I watched and waited in the darkening lightFor a flash of blueBeautiful, bright

I imagined a poem I’d writeThe Kingfisher as you: a light momentarilyBeautiful, bright.A flash of blueI didn’t see a KingfisherI remembered You.

Remembering You(In memory of George, former Crisis Member)

Paula Currie - Arts Co-ordinator

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Article and photograph:

Helen Allmark, Crisis Wellbeing Tutor

Hopingfor

BrighterDays

What a year we’ve had!Now it’s changing again.

Maybe you’re feeling excitedand hopeful aboutreconnecting as things openup. Maybe you’re feelinghopeful, uncertain, even amixture of both, as therestrictions start to ease.We may find ourselves in oncefamiliar situations that feelvery different. If we start tofeel tense or anxious it canbe useful to notice the body,become aware of our feelings,and bring in kindness.

If we can notice and learn to focus on the sensationsin the body, rather than the thoughts we have, wemay be able to soften the tension in the body alittle.

Also noticing what we’re feeling, naming theemotions and remembering it’s ok to feel however wefeel, there’s no right or wrong response to thesechanges.

The superpower of being as friendly and kind toourselves in these difficult moments, maybe imagininghow we’d speak to a friend who was feeling tense oranxious, speaking to ourselves in as gentle andsupportive a way as we can.

Know you can go at our own pace with these changes.The way that works for us is the way that works!Maybe we slow down. Maybe we remember what helped usthrough some of the difficult times? Spending time innature? Connecting with other people? Playing somegood tunes? Comedy? Food? Dancing again?

If you are feeling that you could do with moresupport at the moment there are links on the backpage of this magazine for Crisis, Qwell andLifeRooms services.

Hopefully we can now start to move towards brighterdays and the future we would like to live. Maybe wehave learnt some useful things about ourselves, andwhat’s important to us, during this last year.Perhaps individually, or as communities, or evenglobally, we can take what we have learnt into thefuture we’d like to see and make the days aheadbrighter for all of us.

Wishing you well as you find your way through thesechanges and hoping you can enjoy this beautifulspring… and beyond.

Here’s to brighter days

Need Help or Support?Crisis help people rebuild their lives and leavehomelessness behind for good. For furtherinformation about Crisis Skylight Merseysidesupport and learning activities please contact:merseyside@crisis.org.uk or call 0151 218 7000.

For help with housing please contact the following:

Liverpool Housing Options: 0800 7316844www.liverpool.gov.uk

Wirral Housing Options: 0151 666 5511www.wirral.gov.uk/housingoptions

St Helens Housing Options: 01744 675150www.sthelens.gov.uk

If you feel that your current situation is puttingyou at risk of violence, abuse or harm contact:

Careline: Liverpool: 0151 207 7617Careline: St Helens: 01744 676 370

Qwell is an online safe and confidential space toshare experiences and gain support from ourcommunity and qualified professionals.

https://www.qwell.io/

The Life Rooms provide a safe and welcoming spaceto meet others, access opportunities and learnabout community resources.https://www.liferooms.org/blog/welcome-to-the-life-rooms-online/

Crisis Merseyside www.crisis.org.uk #EndHomelessness