Emma, 22

I’ve been with Fairbridge for about a year. Before I came I was drifting around bed-sits and had bad depression. I wasn’t really doing anything. I though about going to college but sitting in a classroom never worked out well for me.

I’d done a few outdoor activities before so when I heard about Fairbridge I jumped at the chance to do more. I met lots of young people who had different problems but we all worked well together – on the gorge walk, during the night navigation walk and the trek to catch the sunrise.

I’ve done loads with Fairbridge – cooking, canoeing, music and conservation courses. Last summer, I got the chance to travel to Kent to take part in a residential course at the Fairbridge music studio. I’d never played a guitar before but loved it straight away. I’ve been trying to save up for a guitar to practice on but its hard. I’ve been back in Kent this week practising with the others for the two songs tonight. I’m really nervous about the performance but it’s just another thing to make me stronger in myself. Last year I was so shy, I never would’ve been able to get up on stage but now I’ve made speeches and being here tonight is amazing.

I also went on Spirit recently. It was just brilliant. I’d never done anything like it but the experience was amazing. It built up my confidence so much – we had to work hard but it was good. Having the chance to get away from home really helped me to look at my problems and focus on the future.

This year I’m volunteering on Spirit to do the winter refit as part of the Jack Tars programme – can’t wait to get some more sailing in too. I’m looking to join the RYA so I can find out about more sailing opportunities and jobs. I’m also doing a mountaineering and map reading course so I’m on my way to getting a job in one of my two loves – sailing or the outdoors.

Last summer was the best of my life. I’ve worked through my depression and achieved the goals I set with my Outreach & Development Worker. Before I had no belief in my own abilities and would give up on stuff all the time. I know now though that if I keep on trying, keep on getting involved in positive stuff I’m going to reach my goals.

Paul, 19

I grew up in a very abusive home under the iron fist of my step dad. I was depressed and self-harming. I ran away from home on my 17^th birthday and it meant that I had to drop out of college. I ended up in a bed and breakfast for nine months, and I’m now living in the YMCA.

I had heard about Fairbridge from my friends but I had never been. Then one of my support workers mentioned it, and as I was just living off benefits and wasn’t doing anything with my life, I came down and did the Access.

It was great. I met a completely different group of people - all different characters. Some of them were loud, some were quiet but the staff worked hard to bring everyone into a group. I loved coming back after the course. It gave me something to look forward to - a bit of a normal life.

I like being here. Everyone has a smile on their face and I don’t have to worry about what people say. It’s relaxed and you can do what you want to do when you want to do it. But you can't just do nothing - there are rules and you have to follow them.

I have an issue with trust and I feel like I’ve always asked for help but I never got it. But here the staff do help. They let you get comfortable and have worked hard to gain my trust.

At home I wasn’t aloud to be myself but since then I have spread my wings. I’ve done loads of things here. I’ve been making music using the recording studio. I’ve also been climbing a lot. I had never done it before I came to Fairbridge but now I have a qualification. I’m also trying to overcome my fear of deep water to get my kayaking qualification.

Fairbridge has helped me grow up and keeps me going. I have been looking at negative things and trying to turn them into positive.

My short tem goal is to get a job, and then in the longer term I want to do my GCSEs and A levels and eventually work in prosthetics. I don’t see the point in sitting around doing nothing. I used to only half do things. Now I try and do everything properly.