new places and changes set the agenda

ALL CHANGE!  Out with the old ... and into our new office!

Plan ahead as much as you like, change is inevitable and often overtakes the best laid plans without warning. Early April brought the unexpected realisation that we urgently needed to find a new home for our charity. Perhaps we should have heeded the signs when the neighbouring office was slowly emptied (along with the contents of the fridge) but, absorbed with our own concerns,  we missed the warnings.

Finding suitable premises in central Derby within our price range and meeting the needs of our small team and our upcoming commitments became the top priority.  Time was spent scanning advertisements, calculating costs, visiting properties and weighing up advantages and disadvantages. Time we could ill afford.

What was encouraging was the support provided by our community and other local organisations, suggesting solutions to our problems, having honest and open discussions and helping make our move as quick and smooth as possible.

Any form of relocation is very stressful, even with support. Change is always uncomfortable. Leaving your comfort zone and stepping into the unknown is  scary. As a small charity we need to share premises with others. We have to adapt to new policies and procedures, learn to live with and respect our new work place neighbours, get to know the ethos and culture of a new place and do our best to fit in.

It made me think about refugees. Leaving home through necessity due to personal danger, war, political events or natural calamity beyond their control. Taking risks, making painful choices, leaving behind familiarity, becoming vulnerable, open to abuse, rejection and loss. Compared to their daily challenges moving to a new office bears no comparison - but it allows us to understand their experiences slightly better, which can only be a good thing.