I'm planning to walk 26 miles on Saturday 6 June to support the Roundhouse and their work with young people. They support over 10,000 each year despite being better known as a venue for gigs and other kinds of arts events. In fact it uses all of the income to support the cause for which it exists. https://www.roundhouse.org.uk/our-work/

That cause is to help young people realise their potential using the creative arts to grow confidence and capability. It’s an area of education that’s had reducing support as the focus on exam results and measurable achievement has grown.

If your skills and love of life come from performing, writing, producing or similar, and especially if you have a background that’s disadvantaged, then with conventional schooling you might struggle to feel confident, knowing you have something to be proud of and lots to contribute. This affects the life you’ll go on to lead, and The Roundhouse has ways to help. They work with thousands of young people a year to fill these gaps and given them a platform to do great things.

The Roundhouse team has steered through lockdowns and then difficult economic environments that seem to persist. Despite that, a new facility has been constructed called Roundhouse Works to grow the numbers of young people the organisation can reach and broaden the work they do. It now includes a creative industries incubator for people up to 30 with good business ideas along with great new rehearsal and learning spaces.

The need for funds is to support what the new building now allows – and hence me having a go at another in a series of long and difficult walks on their behalf.