37
Looking to the Future We hope you have enjoyed reading about the work of the organisation which began 50 years ago in response to a need that our founders then identified. Over the following years some of those needs have changed, whilst new challenges have come to our attention. Although our name has changed over the years, our dedication towards improving people’s lives and encouraging a genuine atmosphere of equality and respect in our community has remained the focus of our work. There will always be those who believe that we will never achieve a world where every individual is valued and each life considered unique and special. Such thinking does not and will not deter us from our aims as summarised in our Mission Statement. Because we have never stood still, we have an eye on the future and where we can continue to make a difference to people’s lives. We live in a fast changing world and for many, one fraught with uncertainty and increased pressures just to survive. We have also discerned an increase in anti-social behaviour and the few who, for various reasons, feel they have freedom to express racist and hateful comments through social media or direct action. At our recent Annual General Meeting we asked members to tell us those things that concern them and that might be issues we could turn to in the future. Amongst these concerns were the following:
Uncertainty over Brexit Social isolation
Welfare changes
Gender identity
Extremism
Changes in interpretation of people’s rights
Continuing care for the elderly
Disabled access and respect
Climate change impact
Mental Health and stress
The need for organisations such as ours is as relevant today as ever and the challenges just as great. We will thus endeavour to provide more support for the disadvantaged and marginalised, seek for greater community cohesion and provide opportunities for people of differing faiths, race, social status, age or sexual identity to come together as equals and in a safe environment. Despite all these issues we aim to be positive in our outlook, uncompromising in the face of hatred and inequality and determined to be an integral part of our community.
