Opportunities

As a child I was blessed with parents who took me to the countryside every weekend & uprooted me every school holiday to Cornwall where I surfed, rode bikes, walked for hours. I was given more freedom than I was ever given in Catford. 

For all my school's faults, teachers (in their own spare time) took us youth hosteling in the countryside, which are some of my fondest school memories. It brought down barriers between us and teachers, for that weekend, we all got on. It calmed us.

But these opportunities were rare for most kids. I know I was incredibly lucky and I was considered posh (ha yeah! Me!). Being in the countryside made me who I am, gave me freedom to run around, see new places, think new things.

I've run courses with deprived young people and even young offenders who have never before left the square mile in the city they were born and we've hiked, read maps and given them the chance to see open space, the horizon for the first time in their life, given them confidence to achieve something & the belief in themselves. If nothing else relaxation to not watch their backs 24/7. 

Being in the countryside is ultimately the catalysis for me having a job which is not only pretty cool, but means I pay bills & contribute to society. 

The Countryside changes you. You all know how good you feel after a weekend of 'getting away from it all' feels. So if you really think access to the countryside DOESN'T make a difference to an inner city child's life outcomes then you are SERIOUSLY mistaken.
F**k You NIMBYs.