In Your Own Skin

I’ve just seen that one of my favourite people in the world has taken part in a community project called ‘In Your Own Skin’. ‘In Your Own Skin’ is a community focused project that combines creative and therapeutic support to help rebuild individual lives and strengthen community. The vision is that men and women would love who they are, believe in their value, live out of all their potential, and thrive in healthy communities.

Fantastic. In my opinion (and let’s face it, that’s what blogs are for – indulging ourselves with the idea that people want to hear our thoughts and opinions), independent community projects like ‘In Your Own Skin’ are demonstrations that humanity exists. That we aren’t completely cut off from one another. That people still care.

As I was watching the video of Si’s story, I was thinking “But surely there are other projects like this around?” and then it dawned on me: who cares if there are 50 projects like this already set up? If ‘In Your Own Skin’ manages to reach even 1 person who need to be reached, then it’s worth it. If ‘In Your Own Skin’ manages to make even 1 person feel like they’re not alone, then it’s worth it. If ‘In Your Own Skin’ manages to raises by just 1 iota the awareness of the need to let people know they can talk to someone, then it’s worth it.

It also the opinion of my humble self, that the visionaries behind the ‘In Your Own Skin’ project - Hannah Smikle and Jennifer Mort - had not only the idea, but the motivation and the commitment to follow through on their idea to reach out to people who might just need reaching out to…and that in itself is an achievement! As I said before, projects like ‘In Your Own Skin’ fill me with hope that there are still people out there who care about other people and who want to help people…and that’s comforting, right? Right?

Well either way – I think the project is fantastic, not to mention much needed, and I think as long as people like Si are willing to talk, we should be willing to listen.

Just a thought…