A day in the life of a Project Truth Team Member

Yana – Team Member blogpost.

Would you consider yourself an advocate for the unborn? Are you a silent supporter or do you make your opinion heard?

Having taken part in this year's Project Truth Roadshow, I can confidently say that I am an advocate, and an outspoken one at that! Interacting with the public in various Scottish cities has challenged me to rethink and reinforce my abortion argument and apologetics, and I would recommend the experience to anyone who feels they have the will to change hearts and minds on the topic of abortion.

How did I get involved with SPUC and Project Truth you ask?

The honest answer is the SPUC Youth Conference. It took me two years to build up the courage to sign up, and I didn't regret my decision for a second. In fact, after my experience in July, I am raring to go again!

Pre-performance jitters were creeping up on me as day one of the Roadshow approached so I was thankful to receive training alongside the other volunteers when I arrived in Glasgow. Ensuring we had facts and communication tips up our sleeves, we soon felt up to the task. I'll admit that training only goes so far - the real learning happens on the road when talking with grandmothers, boyfriends, mothers, and even the odd security guard outside Primark! Each and every interaction promotes a reaction that differs each and every time. The ability to respond proactively in every scenario is learned along the way. After all, for most of the team, the Roadshow was their first foray in the public eye as pro-life advocates and you can only be so prepared for the reality of street-level outreach.

So what does an average day as a Project Truth team member look like?

The team starts off by meeting for breakfast, but do not be fooled - a Wetherspoons or Tesco meal deal is the standard. Once fueled, we split into two teams so that we can cover more area. Each group sets up their lovely blue gazebo in a carefully chosen space (council approved of course!), and we set to work. At this point in my experience, all anxieties of face-to-face interaction faded as I eased into the role, and I found I was able to approach anyone I pleased without much hesitation.

The stall is entirely family-friendly, with models of the foetus in the womb, various leaflets providing information for women who need crisis pregnancy support, and even lollipops showing the size of a baby's feet at ten weeks gestation!

Every volunteer finds their own way of approaching people; from using questionnaires, handing out leaflets, and offering lollipops, to simple smiles and friendly waves. Along the way, we kept the nature of our mission in mind, as well as the wellbeing of our audience. While some encourage interaction with models, others induce conversation with compliments; a "your outfit looks on point today" goes a long way with the right person!

We spend roughly four hours talking with locals every day before packing up with an empty stomach and satisfied heart. The role is rewarding on so many levels, and you feel like you have made a positive impact on the world after each interaction. There will always be more challenging conversations to be had and sometimes, even intimate confessions to acknowledge, but we must face each one with an open mind and non-judgemental attitude. After all, outreach is more than spreading knowledge and information, it provides valuable support to those who need it.

I have learned that team members must create a strong support system for one another as well as those they talk to. I know I was in much need of a quick catch-up or two in between tough interactions and I could not have been more thankful for the support of the others this year. I have realised that, like many of the people we talk to on the streets, we also need someone to confide in.

Once we have packed away and travelled to our accommodation, we have some free time to explore the city or have a well-deserved nap. This is the perfect opportunity to unwind and relax before dinner. This year, we tended to use this time to recount the most intriguing stories of the day or wander about in search of a good vintage shop.

Evenings consisted of dinner, mainly in restaurants, followed by cards or a game of pool. The team was a mix of different faiths and none, in fact faith never comes into the discussions unless someone we’re taking to brings up their own faith, but as a Catholic I chose to attend Mass every day as it helped me to ground myself and remember why I was travelling across Scotland in the first place. As the week went on, we formed bonds and forged friendships with one another - Project Truth is a valuable opportunity to spend time with those who share your values. I have even made plans to meet up with them for more pro-life events this year!

By day five, we'd covered 10 locations across Scotland and were much deserving of an end of week meal in Glasgow. And that's when the week drew to a close for another year, with people leaving to go back to their ordinary lives on Saturday evening. Upon reflection, I have realised how unique the Project Truth experience is, especially with a pro-life Roadshow being one of it’s kind in the UK. Living alongside so many similar-minded individuals was an unforgettable experience and I doubt that I will ever feel the likes of it again.

To those who are considering dipping a toe (or foot!) into pro-life advocacy, I recommend attending the SPUC Youth Conference next February. There, you can find out more about Project Truth and other annual pro-life events across the world. You may even see me there - who knows!