EDITORIAL COMMENT

Edges Magazine offers its sympathy to the family of Neil who died recently. I have personally known Neil for several years and it was with deep sadness that I learnt of his death He took part in a short film documentary of our organisation two years ago. This was shown at Manchester University in our 1997 "Freedom to Dream Conference".

Neil struggled with addiction for many years, yet he always hoped that he would overcome his problem. At times he found it so difficult to get out of the mess. Yet in the midst of all of his chaos, he exhibited a warmth and was a very likeable person. The day after he died, some of the young people who visit our Drop In Centre, asked me to stand with them in the centre of the town as they held a vigil in his memory. Soon a shrine of flowers appeared and they lasted for several days.

I remember spending Christmas Morning of 1997 with a small group of young people at St Anne's House, Neil was amongst them. The following fifteen months had its difficulties for him. I can vividly still see him coming to me in tears not knowing how to cope. We tried to help him the best way we could. We will add Neil to the list of those young people who names still live on in our work.

In this edition of Edges we congratulate those young people who are continuing to rebuild their lives and we thank Edges readers for their generosity in helping them. Equally, our magazine also gives a voice to people throughout the U.K. who feel isolated and alone. I applaud those contributors in this edition who have shared their lives with us. It takes courage to speak out.

There are many who carry in their lives an inner dereliction which leaves them isolated and powerless. Every human being has the fundamental right to articulate their originality to the world. Yet masses of people are denied this right by the circumstances of their lives. As editor of Edges and Director of T.H.O.M.A.S. I sea a distasteful reminder of human captivity. Yet I also see people being liberated and facing the future with hope.

We pay special tribute to Joseph Vos who is one of our international contributors. He speaks very movingly about his recent visit to orphanages in Sri Lanka. We also focus on institutional racism. Stephen Lawrence memory lives on in those of us who are determined to break down the barriers that exist in our society. This is the greatest way we can pay tribute to his life.

I thank all those people who have written to us since our last edition. Please continue to write to us and if we can, we will publish your views.

Again can I ask you to support us in our work.