Covid-19 update from Grit

What a strange and unsettling time it is for me to write to you all for the first time as CEO. It is not quite the transition I had in mind but then I’ve been working for Grit for long enough to know that the ‘meal’ really does not even resemble the ‘menu’ sometimes…. After 20 years of working for an organisation that I love I am very honoured to now be leading it, regardless of the circumstances. More than ever I’ve been thinking about the importance (that I’ve learnt from Grit) of staying connected to others on the basis of our shared humanity and staying present whenever possible. I hope that all of you in our extended Grit family are managing to stay safe and well and connected to those you love.

It has been a challenging few weeks at Grit as we find ways to keep moving forward as an organisation during such uncertain times and with a model that has always required us to be ‘in the room’ with people. We’ve been working with our partners to look at creative ways that we can carry on supporting those young people who are most isolated and/or vulnerable and may find the current restrictions the most difficult to deal with. As we come up with new mechanisms and experiment with different delivery platforms we will keep you posted on any way that you can contribute or connect to the Grit support network.

I really do hope that you will keep in touch with us during this period, I know from those of you that have reached out, that Grit can be a way to help people stay connected to each other and connected to what matters whilst we weather the storm. Thank you for all the support you give to us and to each other. We look forward to emerging with some new creative ways of working as well as some reflections on what communities can really do together when they unite under extraordinary circumstances like this one.
All the very best to you, stay safe and well.

Ellie
CEO