Feature

Eradicating inequalities

Dr Rebecca Harrocks continues a series of weekly articles in which Research and Development personnel reflect on how our approach to mission has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic

ONE of the most prevalent themes of the Research and Development Unit’s Covid-19 findings has been the exacerbation of many of society’s existing inequalities. These inequalities include – but are not limited to – geographic, socio-economic, gender, age, ethnic, health, digital and environmental consequences.

To practise mission we must recognise that not everyone has been affected equally by the pandemic. As Scottish writer Damian Barr put it: ‘We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm. Some are on super-yachts. Some have just the one oar.’

As a church with activist roots, it is important that The Salvation Army is listening authentically to marginalised voices within our communities and not assuming to know what is needed. Authentic listening is evidenced by responding to what is being said, by living out the gospel in meeting the physical, social or spiritual needs of people on the margins, and by campaigning to transform unjust social structures that make some people more vulnerable to Covid-19 and the inequalities it exacerbates.

Jesus gave us many examples of showing solidarity with people who were vulnerable or considered secondary. He regularly ate with ‘tax collectors and sinners’ (see Mark 2:15–17), people who were considered outcasts from polite Jewish society. He showed solidarity with vulnerable people who were ostracised, such as the woman who anointed his feet (see Luke 7:36–50) and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11). This was quite a startling approach for the patriarchal society in which he lived.

To show solidarity and be a truly integrated and inclusive Salvationist family it is vital that ministry is done with people and not to them, so that they feel equal and included. This approach helps to eradicate power imbalances and promotes positive relationships within the corps or centre and the community. These provide people with an important sense of belonging and enable them to journey further and deeper in their walks with Christ.

Who might be more vulnerable because of the Covid-19 pandemic? Where have existing inequalities been exacerbated and who might be more vulnerable as a result?

OLDER PEOPLE

Research found that one in three people aged over 60 had found their anxiety to be worse than before the start of the pandemic, which had a far-reaching impact on other aspects of their lives. For example, research by Age UK found that 45 per cent of people aged 70 and over said that they were either uncomfortable or very uncomfortable leaving their house because of Covid-19, which led to increased isolation, depression, lower fitness levels, and exacerbation of existing health problems.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

People with disabilities have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 in facing a higher mortality risk from the virus, reduced access to routine healthcare, and the isolation of many having to shield due to being clinically vulnerable. As with older people, shielding has brought people with disabilities heightened anxiety, low mood and isolation.

PEOPLE FROM ETHNIC MINORITIES, REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

People from ethnic minorities are at increased risk of infection and death from Covid-19, while refugees and asylum seekers suffered reduced access to healthcare and vaccines, increased risk of exploitation, precarious housing situations and a greater likelihood of exposure to the virus in deportation centres.

WOMEN

Women were particularly affected by the pandemic, especially women who were mothers and took on the majority of homeschooling. Middle-aged women were also found by one study to be more likely to be suffering from long Covid.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Probable mental ill-health among 6 to 16-year-olds increased from one in nine in 2017 to one in six in 2020. Young people were disproportionately represented in job sectors that were locked down and their job and long-term economic prospects have suffered as a result more than other age groups.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Many other groups of people were particularly hard hit by Covid-19 and its effects, such as single parents, those already struggling with mental health prior to the pandemic, people living with domestic violence, those in specific geographic areas and people working in certain sectors such as retail and hospitality.

Who can you think of who might have become more vulnerable as a result of the pandemic, and how might you show solidarity with them?

For resources that delve more deeply into the themes of this series and how to explore them using the Faith-Based Facilitation model, visit salvationist.org.uk/resources

DR REBECCA HARROCKS

Action Researcher Research and Development Unit, THQ

Dancing like no one

Dan Elson explains how Dance Fit Tots is getting young families moving together

EVERY week thousands of young families enter Salvation Army buildings to attend parent-andtoddler groups. Over the last year, many of them have been moving – not online or to new spaces, but moving their bodies!

Dance Fit Tots is an initiative created by the Music and Creative Arts (Maca) and Family Ministries teams that brings together music, movement, fitness and fun. It is full of singing, listening and, of course, dancing, enabling parents and children to interact, dance and worship together.

‘As a parent of a toddler I know how hard it can be to find time to do something that keeps me fit,’ explains Assistant Director of Music and Creative Arts (Creative Arts) Stephanie Lamplough. ‘Dance Fit Tots allows you to stretch and do light aerobic exercise while your children can join in with the more basic moves. It’s good for you both physically and mentally.’

If you’re a parent of a little one, you’ll no doubt have spent countless hours wishing you’d never heard ‘Baby Shark’ or the theme songs for Bob the Builder or Teletubbies. The slightest mention of the Hey Duggee ‘Stick Song’ can unleash an ear-worm that will haunt you for days! While much of the music written and released for small children can be repetitive and twee, the team behind Dance Fit Tots have sought to make the music catchy and fun, without driving parents to distraction.

The first volume of five Dance Fit Tots songs has a clear Christian message that under-5s can remember, with titles such as ‘Jesus Is My Friend’ and ‘I Love That God Loves Me’.

‘The songs have gone down well and engage all ages from toddlers to adults,’ affirms Lieutenant Rachel Dunham (Plymouth Exeter Hall Whitleigh).

Each song comes with a dance-based fitness routine, which includes some actions little ones can throw themselves into that are repetitive enough for anyone to easily join in on their first go.

‘The children love to watch the videos and copy them, singing and dancing like Stephanie does,’ says Lieutenant Mary Dunn (Cambridge Heath).

For some corps, Dance Fit Tots has provided an opportunity to re-launch a parent-and-toddler group after the Covid-19 lockdowns, while others have included the songs and routines as a new element in their existing groups. There are even corps who run Dance Fit Tots regularly over Zoom.

For the mums, dads, grandparents,