Working Together - Azelea, Luton

Words: Jess Bee

“Pains were shared, people prayed together, life was shared, and hope offered”

So much of the work of Lifewords operates through partnership – a response to God’s values of relationship, collaboration and community. Last spring when the UK and many other countries went into lockdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, life suddenly looked very different. For Lifewords and its partners here was an opportunity to offer safety, hope and support to vulnerable people all over the world.

“From the beginning of the national lockdown in March 2020, we entered into a busy, vibrant, challenging, painful and beautiful time,” says Emma Turner from Azalea in Luton, UK, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities presented by lockdown restrictions. Azalea, who Lifewords partnered with to create Consider the Wildflowers, works with those who are trafficked and sexually exploited. “Lockdown put many in more difficult situations,” says Emma. “There was an increase in the violence enacted against our women. We received a huge number of disclosures of violence and rape – seven times more than in the same time period in 2019. Homelessness was more worrying due to the inability to self-isolate.” Azalea also saw a huge rise in the number of women, and men, going to them for emergency support through their foodbank.

A PLACE OF REFUGE

Azalea adapted to the new circumstances in order to keep serving its community. It responded by opening its doors daily, so that the women they work with could visit if they were in need. “We saw many at all times of the day, coming forward because they had just been attacked, or in desperate need of food, or to contact the council to be placed in accommodation,” says Emma. Azalea also expanded its foodbank offering, including a mobile foodbank for those who were isolating. Between the end of March and the beginning of June, 103 vulnerable and exploited women accessed a safe and healing space away from the streets; 200 people were fed at the daily foodbank; drivers delivered donations and essential items to those who needed them. Virtual Bible studies and befriending also took place. “Pains were shared, people prayed together, life was shared, and hope offered. So many of our guests commented on how peaceful it is here, and how listened to and welcomed they felt.” This peaceful, safe space was where Lifewords worked with some of the women to create Consider the Wildflowers. Through this partnership emerged a resource that reflects who these women are, and offers insight and hope for those who read it. “We find it communicates so beautifully the depth of the realities our women face, and the hope they have in Jesus,” says Emma.

POSITIVE OUTCOMES

The process of relationship and collaboration with others is key to much of the work Lifewords does, and it’s been so encouraging to hear how Azalea have been able to continue their mission despite the pandemic. But social distancing has meant adapting and rethinking some of the ways it does its ministry – in some cases this has led to more effective ways to serve. “One of the beautiful things that has come out of the lockdown is our walking outreach,” says Emma. “In order to maintain social distancing (impossible in a car) we established a small walking team who go out twice a week around the streets of Luton to bless, love and serve whoever they meet. This is a collaboration between Encompass [the team who work with exploited women] and Flint [who work with the men who buy sex]. Already we are seeing such incredible things and increased engagement as a result of this. Our team take out boxes full of helpful flyers, gifts and cakes. Most nights, if not all, the team come back empty handed.”

SPACE TO FLOURISH

As part of its emergency response to Covid-19, Azalea developed an art area – a socially-distanced therapeutic art space, a part of their Flourish Centre where women can go to recover and heal. “This was to provide a place for those who are experiencing trauma and abuse, to be able to find some safety and a little restoration,” says Emma. “Art-making and creativity is inherently therapeutic and grounding, it can be extremely beneficial to someone during, or after, disclosing an account of sexual trauma. We have seen many women around our art table, and many of those are now thriving. They are finding out for themselves what creativity does for our mental wellbeing and they love it. It’s a beautiful, flourishing space, which has continued to develop in our new recovery centre, aptly named Flourish.”

MOVING FORWARD

For some of Azalea’s women, the requirement to self-isolate gave them the motivation and the conditions within which they could flourish. Some women have now moved on with their lives and are beginning the process of recovery and healing. Azalea is extremely thankful for its team and volunteers. Emma recounts a team meeting right at the beginning of the pandemic where the question was asked: “Would we be anywhere else? The answer was a resounding ‘No!’” says Emma. “Whoever of us was able to, stayed, and had possibly one of the most, simultaneously, rich and difficult experiences of our lives.”