Free support available for women in pregnancy crisis
I ATTENDED the Stephen Joseph Theatre recently for a performance of Alfie.
This play was excellent and as good as anything I’ve seen for a while. Behind a veneer of comedy were some profound issues, sensitively presented.
Strong elements of the play were different options chosen in two separate crisis pregnancies. During the organised discussion with the cast afterwards, several of them said they had seen, during their tour, several women needing to leave during the aftermath of the off-stage abortion, and other women and men needing to turn away. All of these were possibly affected by the scenario on stage. This scene was very sensitively portrayed, with some of Alfie’s dialogue profoundly moving.
Often, when such a play is on television, audiences who “have been affected by the issues” are offered telephone numbers through which support can be found.
As chairman of the local Pregnancy Crisis centre, I pondered whether we should have contacted the Stephen Joseph Theatre about our free service of support for all caught up in a crisis pregnancy. As we didn’t, I hope I can now offer that information through the pages of the Evening News. I have obtained encouragement from the Stephen Joseph Theatre to do so.
We are a group of trained volunteers with a lot of relevant life experiences, who offer confidential and non-directive time to listen to and support women caught up with a crisis pregnancy, or who have been significantly emotionally affected by an earlier abortion (sometimes many years earlier), or miscarriage or baby loss. We also have some baby equipment for mothers in need to use.
Weare open for people to dropin on Mondays 3pm to 5pm and Wednesdays 12 to 2pm. Appointments can be arranged outside of these times. The Pregnancy Crisis Centre can be found at the top of Auborough Street in the lower level of the Rainbow Centre at St Mary’s Parish House. Telephone number is 352100 and more information can be found at www.careconfidential. com
Congratulations again to the Stephen Joseph Theatre for Alfie, another excellent production.
Mr J Coates (Chairman, Scarborough Pregnancy Crisis Centre) Scarborough Pregnancy
Crisis Centre, St Mary’s Parish House, Auborough Street,
Scarborough.