Post by Emma Bearman

I’ve been thinking about playful daftness. And especially the very lighthearted way we engage with people in public spaces is with humour, kindness and curiousity. I believe, the trust our team have in play, and each other to be fully ourselves, is infectious, it’s not a line on a risk assessment but it really is a lot of why we have such wonderful times, everywhere we go. We treat public space seriously, as it can have its hairy moments but we get to know ‘everybody’ no matter what their perceived status. Yesterday a fairly inebriated man told me he admired my swing ball skills, I challenged him to a game, he told me he wasn’t feeling very co-ordinated and that he was on his way to be a ‘sinner’. His plastic bag clinked. He asked for a hug. I consented. He told me he’d grown up without love in his life, he’d never had the love of a good woman as a man either. The moment was light, but deeply profound. We had a second hug, a handshake and off he went. I can’t help thinking about the way in which we marginalise people as they become adults. The summit we were at cares deeply about resolving the pernicious impacts of childhood poverty. We don’t put barriers up to keep people safe. The exact opposite works for us. We aim to remove the hard edges of thresholds. Be connected by levity, even when we are carrying & shaped by deep wounds. We are shaped by the people we meet when we are open hearted. And it’s always nice to know that your swingball skills, honed in many public places, are knockout! Our incredible team set the tone. They are all daft as brushes and working with them feels like being on holiday. Such vibes Donna Templeman Tilia Guilbaud-Walter Sarah Smizz, Es, Zofia - you make the everyday feel magical. You keep me feeling young! And to the awesome new friends Sarah Wilson Christina H Tatham & Sarah Godfrey #DreamBigSouthYorkshire