AK Souffle: Good neighbours?

Brrrrrrrr!!! Yes BRRRRRRRR!!! It’s been cold, very cold, and pretty as a blanket of the white stuff can look, it does bring problems. A few weeks ago I was joined by Bernadette Ashcroft from Age UK and we talked about the issues that surround our ever growing elderly LGBTQI community. We’re all living longer, that’s a fact, and as the cost of living rises and elderly care is diminished there are bound to be issues.

Yesterday I was on the telly reading the news, yes you can see me now reading Latest TV News every Tuesday at 6pm. There was snow falling hard outside and I went in to talk to the team and suggested that I add a little to the script. I wanted to remind viewers that out there are many people who, for whatever reason, are less able to deal with the severe weather conditions.

I mean I struggled on the snow getting in and I consider myself to be reasonable able still. But if you are infirm, or less able, or isolated or poor… well let’s face it, there are innumerable reasons why a person might need a little help when the weather gets rough and the going gets tough.

I’m writing this in the hope that we are a city that cares, a city with a heart and at that heart equality

Now I know that this column is usually focused on gay issues, but right now I feel that it’s time to talk about a real equality.

I want to live in a world where we are all equal, so equal that the word ‘equality’ is made redundant. I want us all to think about those around us and I decided to urge people to think about their neighbours, knock on doors and make sure that people are safe. You can ask if they have food, check that they have enough of their regular medication, if indeed they need medication, and check that they are warm enough – cold is a killer. All these are vital factors for people who might be less able to cope with extreme weather conditions.

But in addition, why not offer a little company, stop and take a while to chat, make your neighbour feel cared for and valued, who knows you might make a new friend and in addition – who knows when you might be in need of the same kindness. What goes around comes around.

I’m writing this in the hope that as a city we are a city that cares, a city without prejudice and a city with heart, and at the centre of that heart is equality. By now the snow may have gone, but the need to embrace everyone into a cohesive community will not have gone. Get knocking on those doors!