My Aim is to...

My aim is to cycle about 60 to 70 miles a day and then to meet up with a local church in the town or village that is my destination for that day.
Having worked as a volunteer on our youth project for the last ten years I thought it would be a brilliant opportunity to meet people outside of my usual circle of aquaintance and find out what they are doing with the youth in their area. Dare I say to keep them off the streets! But what I actually mean from my point of view anyway is to let them know that someone actually cares that they have somewhere safe to go to meet up with their friends for a good laugh and some socialising.
Whilst my route is planned and I have canvassed the churches in those towns or villages I have been surprised at how few have felt able to respond with a yes to my request for a chat about what they do, with the comment that they do not really have any young people in their area and that they do not have any youthwork of that kind going on. I must say that I thought that a bit odd as young people are everywhere, but in my ignorance I had assumed that everywhere was like Totton and any other town that you hear of on the news that talks about their 'youth problem' or not! Well, how wrong am I? In some villages across Britain there really aren't many young people, or even people at all and if there are they do not seem to be a problem.
On the other hand the churches that have responded have been very welcoming and positive and for that I am very greatful and quite excited at the prospect of meeting up and sharing our stories so far!