Life in the West End

WHAT IS 'real life? Good question, especially here in the West End, where so many people come to escape from it! The glitz and glamour of film premieres, theatreland, clubs and restaurants where celebrities hang out - is this 'real life'?

Or has it got more to do with the people who clear up when the entertainment crowd have gone home? Cleaners, street sweepers, refuse collectors. Isn't 'real life' their struggle to make ends meet.

Of course, 'real life' depends on who you are and where you live. And those of us who call the West End 'home' know that behind the glossy image lies a very different reality.

We tend to see sleaze rather than stars on our streets. It's not unusual for people to use our doorways as toilets or for drug taking. We aren't excited by the late-night 'buzz' because we are trying to get to sleep.

'Real life' in the West End has its own uniquely intense pressures. And residents need help. Sometimes help is available. A quick response from the police, a successful visit from the council's noise team. These things do happen! But it's not always like that.

Maybe we need to help ourselves a bit more. Getting people together to share problems and practical advice can be very worthwhile.

But Christians have something more to offer. The apostle Paul wrote, 'I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation'. Considering he was in prison at the time, that's got to be a secret worth knowing - and sharing!

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