Thanks for the messages of support and general positivity.
In primary school teacher speak your messages gave me a 'warm fuzzy' feeling.
I managed to get five boys today despite it 'persistently precipatating HARD' most of the morning; and with GCSE exams in full swing.
One guy turned up with his leg in plaster after falling off a moped; four months ago. We've only just got permission from his school to let him back. Another, who is excluded for pinching someone's stash of 'grass' and smoking it on school premises (no names here then!!!)
Ronnie and Reggie (as I call them)from a very run down part of the South Coast who have finished all their exams, have been on 'permanent exclusion' or 'extended study leave' as the school calls it for months asking whether they can have some homework, so that they can finish their folders before the moderators come in next week!
Honestly, these guys have been likened to and labelled near unteachable, are asking for flaming homework! Who's got it wrong?
My fifth and final 'punter' today asked to be returned to school early today...(I nearly choked!) as he had an appointment/interview. He was so positive. So I asked him whether it was for a course or an apprenticeship or training opportunities. "Nope" he replied, dead pan, " it's with my substance abuse counsellor."
Can you see why I do this? These guys are great!
More stories to come. I was told a ripper today about a mad bunch of Albanians and a debt of ?75:00; the guy on crutches hiding under a waterproof coat (in full sun, with the hood fully zipped up) avoiding someones Dad whom he owed a tenner, asking me for protection...... it just goes on and on. Never a dull moment when you're fishing!