Andrew Benbow

September 2011 – That was the first time I had met Richard and been introduced to The Street Outreach Project. Our first meeting was rather amusing because it’d happened in a fish and chip restaurant in Looe, Cornwall. I was wearing a Space Invaders t-shirt and that sparked off Richard’s conversation with me in which he spoke about playing the game when he was younger and enjoying it. It eventually lead to him telling me about what he did and asked if I’d like to come along and help. I accepted.

I’ve been working with Richard for about 8-9 months now, and it’s been amazing. I’ve been helping with jobs I never really thought I would end up ever doing, and finally been allowed to do website and computer work as well. Ever since I was a child, I’ve have a HUGE interest in computers, and it’s the one area I’ve always wanted to work in. The whole interest started because of my father getting me a computer when I was a child.

After many years of looking for a job in the area of computing, I was beginning to think I’d never get anyway in the area, but thanks to Richard, my hope of getting a job in that area has increased significantly.

I’ve been having a lot of fun over the past few months working with Richard on all the different areas; building, website and computer work, working with youths (although, I’m not all that good at talking with people yet, so this area hasn’t been the greatest).

Richard has been helping me in a lot of ways, and I’m so glad that I met him that day in the fish and chip restaurant, especially since that one time was about the only time he ever went there. If it wasn’t my craving of fish and chips that day, I could have missed out completely on this amazing opportunity!

He’s not only been a great help to me, but to all the youths I’ve seen him working with. The Street is truly an amazing project, and it’ll be great to see where the project goes from here. The upcoming van project should really boost the impact of the project in the area, and hopefully gain a lot more support from the locals.

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the past few months, and still continue to do.