IN OCTOBER 2009, former primary school teacher Paul Newbould found himself at rock bottom.

With no job and having recently split from his wife, a car crash became a metaphor for his life: “I was upside down, on my back and not going anywhere, just like my car,” he says, “emotionally things were very tough”

With time on his hands, Paul was looking for something to keep himself occupied.

“I was aware of the work that local charity, The Door Youth Project, was doing through some church friends who were involved, so it was my first port of call to offer my services to them. I turned up one day to see if I could help out, but I didn’t know how or what.”

The Door, which provides safe spaces for young people aged 11-25, offered Paul the chance to volunteer as a youth worker in its Stroud town centre ‘Drop-In’.

“I felt like a fish out of water at first – I really didn’t know if I’d make much of a success of it, but I threw myself into it none-the-less.”

Paul also undertook in-house training to become a mentor, learning what youth work was all about.

“I realised that youth work is very different to teaching, but was really impressed by the way in which youth workers at The Door really relate to young people.”

“I wanted to spend every hour I had learning and volunteering, because The Door really is special. It is a safe space for young people physically but also emotionally too. By creating clear boundaries and showing love, young people can talk and share, make mistakes and be vulnerable. The Door centres around being safe, and showing grace to everyone,” Paul recalls.

“I was amazed at how staff can absorb all the stuff thrown at them because inside everyone they see gold. The Door draws out that gold in everyone – young people, parents, the staff themselves, even volunteers like me. Through the way I was encouraged and supported I not only became a reasonably effective youth worker, I learnt to see the gold that God sees inside of me.”

Over the years Paul went on to take up a paid youth work role in both Stroud and Dursley, became a mentor in Archway school, and taught disaffected or excluded young people English and Maths.

“The Door has been an integral part of my life’s journey for the past seven years,” he tells us.

“Now I’m moving on – to work in Eccles in Manchester, serving the community there.”

Before he goes, Paul wants to give something back to the local charity that has changed his, and so many other lives.

“When my friend Phil asked if I wanted a challenge, I straight away knew I wanted to raise funds for The Door.”

Paul, Phil Manning and Poppy The Dog are setting out to walk the Cotswold Way in just six days from Thursday, October 13 – sleeping wild on the journey.

“I’ve never had the chance to backpack continuously, and I’m going to miss the beauty of the Stroud Valleys when I’m up north, so what better way to sign off,” he says.

“I’d love to raise £600 for The Door in the process too!”

Details of how to sponsor Paul can be found at mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/philpollyandpaulgowild.

For more information about The Door or Paul's challenge please visit thedoor.org.uk or contact Barrie Voyce : barrie@thedoor.org.uk / 01435756745