Looking back at 2018, it must have been one of the more challenging years in my lifetime. But that is not all bad. As some of you know I feel strongly about communities and contributing to a wholesome society, offering support, development and change where I can.
One of the Charities The Reason Why Foundation I have mentored for in the past, invited me along to a fundraising event, completing the #3peakchallenge in the Yorkshire dales in Summer of 2018.
And what an experience it was; you could write a book about that day alone. LOL
But for now here are some pictures I took at the Event. To complete an insight in the day and cause, the Founder of the organisation offered some honest words in this 60 second interview, with me.
Enjoy … and embrace every challenge there may be, to grow from where you are to where you want to be.
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Who are you and what is your position within the Foundation !?
Roger, Founder.
As far as I understand the Foundation is a lot about listening and offering support in times of change for people with convictions. What do you see as the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for our service users is living with their childhood trauma and for us, it’s funding.
What was the most rewarding moment so far?
There have been so many over the last 6 years, most recently I met one of the people we supported about 4 years ago. They’re now in their 3rd year at college, working part time and have set up their own clothes label, selling online. They were just so happy and full of life, so good.
How does a physical challenge (like the 3 peak challenge) relate to your foundations goals?
Our service users face challenges every day that many people never face in their lives and what is challenging for one person, may well be nothing at all for another. We also get to relate to others that we might not normally come into contact with in our usual daily lives, having shared a challenging experience/time. There were many parallels.
Having completed the 3peakchallenge, what was the greatest revelation to you?
Physical attainment and Emotional regulation. Simply by being part of a group, we are encouraged to do and be more than we would normally, and we keep (or not) our emotions in check when in a group situation.
And why do you think we should embrace challenges in our lives ?
Challenges help us to grow and learn. They show us what we’re capable of, that we can do more and be more than we might sometimes believe. They help us to consider what it’s like to face difficulties and overcome them, managing the feelings of failing and seeing the learning in not succeeding.
How important do you see empathy in your line of work?
Empathy is vital, so is concern for others. Empathy without concern for others is simply not enough to be an effective support for the people that come to us for help.
What is your milestone for the Foundation before the end of the year?
We would like to host a celebration for all our volunteers and service users to thank them and acknowledge their hard work, effort and achievement. Oh, and get enough funding to do more of the incredibly valuable work we’ve been doing for over 6 years with more than 500 people with less than 5% having returned to offending.
How can people support the Foundation?
People can support the Foundation by volunteering their time and/or by making one off/monthly donations of any size. We have a £3/month campaign at the moment, sort of like a reduce crime for the cost of a coffee.
To volunteer – https://www.therwf.org/mentor-with-us/
To donate – https://localgiving.org/charity/rwf/
Fleckenstein Photography 