Keeping Each other Safe Where we Can

2 July 2021

Mel Winnell

This is one the values of our community at Streetlevel.

Often when we (or maybe just I?) think of safety what comes to mind are physical spaces or environments we find ourselves in and how to make these safe. For example, at Streetlevel, functioning with the threat of Covid in our community - how we place chairs and tables, hand sanitizer, wearing of masks, stopping things we once could do together, and of course, most recently, having to close our doors again all to keep those we love physically safe.

But something I have been learning, experiencing, and encouraged by within our community is the building safe relationships. Seeing relationships of trust and safety and the depth of community and security it can provide. The kind of safety where honesty in the highs of life can be a shared celebration, and lows are guaranteed to be met with a present, listening ear, and some love. 

It’s safe to say that lockdown is probably a low for a lot of our community at the moment but I am comforted knowing these safe relationships exist in our community - that we will be there for each other during this rough time and get through this. I have already heard stories of our community sharing their struggles with one another and looking out for each other. And again, our wonderful team will pivot to provide this kind of safety for our community (though it may look differently; sending cards, calls, emails, text messages, catch-ups via zoom, sharing important health information, socially distant exercise to name a few things). And all this among their own experiences of this lockdown.

While it might look different to what we're used to, the value is still strong within our people. And boy, will we celebrate (safely) once we are able to.