E1derful.

Goodbye Grayshott.

Precisely 8 months and 16 days ago, I moved out of the only home I have ever known on the borders of leafy Surrey and into the heart of London's East End; mainly because I cared about something more than the Olsen twins and who was going to Guildford on Thursday night. 

Having heard about XLP (a youth work charity, that work with yoots in inner city Lond) just 2 weeks before, I packed my bags, said my goodbyes and set off to the big smoke to spend a year working with them. 

I left home to go to an induction/training week not knowing where I would be living at the end of the seven days. On the sixth day, after God created man, I found out that I would be working on XLP's Tower Hamlets team (aka Team TH, The Holy Trinity etc) and moving to Brick Lane, E1. 

Because I think I'm really cool and hip, this is a place I'd been a few times before - vintage shopping and nightlife. 

However, the 'indie' tourists and groupies that pass through this area of  London, rich with history and culture, do simply that - pass through. Having spent almost 9 months living in the area and working with the young people in the community, I have come to understand what it means to live in such a place - what really goes on in the tower blocks, what really happens after dark on the streets that the drinkers in the bars fail to notice.

Suddenly the grimey chic that I had once associated with the area is not quite so glamorous, just a gritty reality. 

This year I have met the most amazing families, young people, old people and middle aged ones too. I have cried with laughter, with frustration. I have learnt the beginnings of a language, a new culture. I have probably shared over 40 tubs of Ben & Jerry's with some weird Americans. I have had good days, crap days, life changing days. I have been cynical, I have been inspired. 

Most of all, I have been moved. 

I thought I'd better start writing it down because it's all quite interesting.