Don’t We All Need Our Own s.p.a.c.e ?

At the risk of sounding “old” I just have to say how proud I felt (Friday night) of all the “young” people who organised/attended the annual s.p.a.c.e Trivia Night fundraiser at Bronco’s Leagues Club. What an inspiration is Alissa Phillips and her wonderful s.p.a.c.e board of directors – not to forget all of her many wonderful volunteers!  I also have to say, anyone who makes broad-sweeping statements and generalisations  about Gen Y’s being self-absorbed (myself included!) needs to simply spend a few hours with this group of amazing, inspiring young people and you will surely think differently.

The s.p.a.c.e team have worked tirelessly over many years to improve the facilities at the Kenmore Scout Hall in order to create a safe and pleasant environment for all the members of the community. With positive negotiations with the Scouts from the outset,  up until about 8 months ago s.p.a.c.e  were led to believe that with lots of hard work and fund-raising (not to mention a Lord Mayor’s grant which now will have to be returned – can you believe it?)  they would eventually make their vision for  s.p.a.c.e  a reality.  Sadly, after some 8 months of  failed attempts  to negotiate a lease agreement with Scouts in order to move forward to the next level and commence renovating the hall,  s.p.a.c.e have been forced to give up on their vision (as it currently stands).  The Scouts (whom I will personally now refer to as a “waste of s.p.a.c.e”) simply ceased all communications despite numerous efforts to negotiate and even mediation attempts  by supportive local members of Parliament and the Kenmore Community.

For those who don’t already know, s.p.a.c.e stands for Specialised Programs and Community Endeavours. Its services are for, but not limited to, members of the community with a disability. The goal is to ignite inclusive community practices and increase quality of life for those members of the community who live with or alongside disability. (Read more about the inspiration behind the creation of s.p.a.c.e Kenmore here.) The vision of Alissa Phillips, this not-for-profit organisation  has been working hard for a number of years to create a “Space” of their own at the Kenmore Scout Hall.

Last night’s fundraiser was an emotional one for any of us who have over the years supported and watched the s.p.a.c.e  vision unfold and knew just how close the team had come to making the dream a reality. NOT that the dream won’t still be realised, just perhaps packaged/housed in a slightly different “space”!

With tears in my eyes, I listened to Alissa as she ran her speech by me before the event.  I promised her I wouldn’t look at her when she attempted to read it in a professional and composed manner (which ofcourse she did!).  Alissa’s family and friends were all there to support her as she made public the news that s.p.a.c.e could no longer continue to fight for a “space” where they were clearly no longer welcome. We watched many inspirational videos and strolled down the memory lane of the last few years. We heard from members of the s.p.a.c.e community as they shared their feelings on what s.p.a.c.e has meant to them. Again, more tears from me (and I’m sure many others)…(Sorry Liss. I tried, but as you know, I cried at the opening credits of Billy Elliot and even Pocahontas so if you think I was going to be able to hold back tears on this occasion,  you were always going to be sadly mistaken!)

I’ll sign off here, ‘cos yes, I’m finding myself getting emotional all over again! But rest-assured, this is so not the end! Instead it is just the beginning of the “revisioning” of s.p.a.c.e. I encourage anyone who cares; anyone who wants to be involved in a group of some of the most inspirational young people you will ever meet; anyone who is even just a little curious about s.p.a.c.e and how you can be involved,  to visit the website and get in touch with Alissa.  And please join us all at the Re-Launch meeting on the 28th June. I’ll certainly be there, and hope you will be too!