Christmas and New year was a busy time for me. I spent some time over Christmas volunteering for Crisis Christmas (Crisis.org.uk) It was an enlightening experience to say the least.
I spent time with people who I would not usually socialise with in any other circumstance. I ate dinner and drank tea with people who could tell you stories that would make your toes curl, but I loved every minute of it. I was seen as an equal despite there being very clear and obvious differences.
My first job of the shift was to stand on the front gate and welcome in the guests, do a quick pat down for alcohol and weapons, if all was clear, send them inside. This sounds easy enough right? Think again!
One particularly loud lady approached the entrance to the centre, I'm guessing because of her extrovert nature the other girls on the gate did not want to search her so dispersed, leaving me on my own. I proceeded to pat her down, after all what's the worst that could happen?
'Do you have anything on you that could harm me or other guests?' I said calmly.
'Are you accusing me of being a druggie?....that's so typical of people like you... you come down here trying to save the world and you think because i slur my words I'm a druggie so I'm going to prick you? ... well you can f**k off!....'
To say I was slightly taken aback would be an understatement. She carried on with her speech for 5 minutes whilst I stood back and let her get it off her chest. She began to calm down and let her friend do all the talking, I approached her (with caution!) and apologised.
'Thank you, I'm sorry I shouted. Its just I'm always labelled you know?'
Sadly, I think we all understand the implications of labelling and stereotypes. Only this time I will take it a little bit more seriously.
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