39, male. Originally from Devon, I've lived and worked in Lebanon, Syria, India, Turkey, Greece, France, Spain and Jordan. After being away for so long, I came home three years ago but have struggled to establish myself in Bristol. I have no children, but a niece whom I love dearly. I'd like to work with young people if I could, and hope to offer them a bigger picture on the world - a mixture of belief in its possibilities and perspective as to its history and reality. My work involves advising governments what they should and shouldn't do in conflict zones, and how best to get aid to people who need it. In doing that for nearly 20 years, I've seen the best and worst of humanity, been amongst war, and lost people to violence. Equally, I've helped foster peace and achieved things of which I'll forever be proud. The idea of volunteering came to me after feeling valued for the listening and advice I've been giving to a young person at a local sports club - purely by spending time together. Given my position, experience, and the nature of my work, I get listened to a lot throughout the week, often without question. It has been far more satisfying feeling like an older brother/father figure, and I've enjoyed building trust with the lad to the point that he actively seeks my advice on his life choices. I'd love to do more of that if I could but I have to admit I might seem about as far behind the times as it gets for someone of my age. No idea if it's right for me or them but I'd like to try. Like me, there are a lot of kids out there that haven't had positive male role models growing up - perhaps I could be one myself.