"XLP is about hope, and with hope comes the possibility of change. To bring hope into someone’s life you must learn to walk with them, to understand their world, and to journey together to a place where alternatives are possible."

From September 17th I will be starting a gap year with XLP which is an organisation based in London. XLP was founded in 1996 and is a charity who focus specifically on creating positive futures for youth aged 11-18 who are vulnerable or already involved in gangs, anti social behaviour and crime as well as with youth who have been or are at risk of exclusion from education.

During my time at XLP I will be working in schools and on estates in inner city London. XLP has two customised double-decker buses that travel to these estates to host a range of drop-in sessions providing a safe environment for young people to attend outside of school hours. The buses are kitted out with playstations, areas to sit and chill, a kitchen, an area for doing nails and hair as well as laptops for homework. I will be working on these and aiming to help provide a strong positive role model and through activities, games and discussion, encouraging young people to develop positive behaviour and life-skills, raise their self-confidence and stay in education. This is something I feel passionately about because I believe that everyone should have the same opportunities for a positive future no matter their upbringing or where they're from. In schools I will be supporting in RE and PSHE lessons where I can as well as helping run/organise lunch clubs, assemblies, reading support and mentoring. 

I will also be receiving training in youth work and theology once a week.

During this year there will be no time for me to have a paid job, only during the times when I am at home in half term and Christmas and Easter holidays. As my time will all be focused on the work with XLP I am asking for any donations and really appreciate them all. The £3800 will be split up into three main areas including £130 a month budgeted to me to cover any living expenses and £700 will cover the travelling costs in London. The remaining £1800 will go towards XLP and the training I receive in youth work and theology.

www.xlp.org.uk/experience