Jamie, 16

I was referred to Fairbridge about eight months ago. I was going to Careers Scotland now and then and they said they thought if I came to Fairbridge it might help me be more confident and control my feelings better. I was also smoking weed and drinking a lot. I was living in a temporary homeless place. I just felt really crap and felt like I couldn’t make a go of anything. I didn’t have any work experience and I’d got done for assault in the past too.

It was weird though I really clicked with Fairbridge. Everyone said I was really enthusiastic on my Access course and helped out a lot and was always on time. I surprised myself with getting on with the other young people most of the time. I actually had the space to think about the decisions I made in the past and I wondered whether I’d end up in prison like so many of the people I knew.

I started going to a few Follow-on courses at Fairbridge and working on the goals that I’d been set after Access. At the end of each course I started to really understand what pushed my buttons and worked on ways to cope with certain situations. I stopped getting so angry and started thinking about the consequences of the stuff I was doing. I started to make really positive friendships – that made me feel good as nothing in my life lasted very long before.

I really enjoyed the outdoor courses the best and even got the John Muir Award for my enthusiasm for nature. I thought about joining the army and looked at what I’d need to work on to make this happen, like becoming fitter and improving my communication skills (even more!).

While I’ve been at Fairbridge I’ve stopped drinking so much and stopped smoking weed. I haven’t been in trouble with the police at all either. I was then accepted onto a 12 week Princes Trust programme and graduated recently after three months of really hard work. It's unbelievable how far I've come in just under a year.

John, 18

When I came to Fairbridge I was having a lot of problems with alcohol and drugs. I’d been in and out of care because my parents had the same problems too. Things had happened to me when I was younger that made me really angry and wanting to lash out all the time. I didn’t have a job and wasn’t in college. I’d also been in trouble with the law and was probably pretty close to getting in trouble again.

I’ve been at Fairbridge for about a year now and I keep coming back because I can see myself changing for the better. I’m always on time and hate to miss a session or course. I haven’t been in trouble with the police since coming to Fairbridge and I’m now keeping to my probation conditions.

I’m waiting to get some supported accommodation now. I think if I get away from where I’m living I’d see even more positive changes in my life. I’ve also applied to college to study forensic sciences. I’m waiting to hear if I’ve been accepted but the big change is just feeling like I can make something of myself.