Dignity is a word you hear a lot. It is a given that dignity is a good thing; it’s a universal good. It’s impossible to have too much dignity (unless it’s feigned dignity), and not having dignity is a bad thing.
But generally, I think we see dignity as a choice that people make. To behave in a dignified manner is a choice. To prioritise dignity is a choice.
But what about injecting heroin in a laneway in Richmond. Is there any dignity in that? By any common standard, the answer would be no. But what about injecting heroin in a laneway in Richmond after being an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse who has been staving off suicidal thoughts for two decades with heroin. Is there any dignity in that?
I think the answer is still no. Because if society thinks it’s undignified, then it’s undignified. There’s not much we can do about that. What we can affect though, is the facilitation of dignity by the combined response of justice, health and other systems in our society. Through decisions at a management and at a personal level, we can provide a space where dignity is possible. We can choose to prioritise dignity in all our interactions, and thereby make room for dignity in the life of another.
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Now, most First Step clients have resilience in spades. First Step clients can teach First Step staff a thing or two about resilience, and it’s our job to be open to that learning. But dignity takes the active efforts of both parties. The request for assistance in a dignified manner, the provision of support in a dignified manner, and then the entering into a dignified relationship together.
A belated ‘definition’ of dignity here would include mutual respect, as well as empathy and hopefulness on all sides.
More than ever, First Step can provide that in our new home. Yes, of course, its mostly about the staff and clients, not buildings. But the built environment affects us all – unfortunately, because it’s expensive! Thanks to the amazing support of our community, we gathered the funds, the space and the determination to turn Mitford Street into a truly dignified environment.
One of the best reactions to our new premises is that staff feel that our clients deserve it, and clients feel that our staff deserve it. That’s dignity!
Patrick Lawrence Chief Executive Officer |
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