Jacob, 19

I started at Fairbridge just before I turned 17. I’d been kicked out of home and was moving around a lot of B&Bs and hostels. Someone from Fairbridge did a talk at the hostel I was in at the time and all the outdoor stuff sounded brilliant. I’d done some climbing when I was really young but never had the chance to take it up again..

Access was amazing. We went caving, abseiling and gorge-walking. Everyone got on together – I’m still in touch with some of the others a couple of years down the line.

Afterwards I tried to do as many outdoor activities as possible. I got such a buzz from it all. I took part in a three-day national canoe event, rowing 40 miles down the River Wye. I also took part in a conservation course in Cornwall.

I started volunteering at Fairbridge three months ago. I want to be a youth worker and help young people like myself. I love seeing the effect of the outdoors on young people and watching them gain confidence and do well at Fairbridge.

At Fairbridge everyone actually listens to you – you can talk to the staff about anything. They help you with what you need rather than telling you what to do without listening.

If you’d have asked me two years ago where I’d be today I probably would’ve said on the dole, doing nothing. I got kicked out of school at 15 and my relationship with my dad was terrible.

About seven months ago I got my own flat and started feeling a lot more stable. I made amends with my dad too which has been great and I’ve even got an evening job working four nights a week so I can keep volunteering at Fairbridge and reach my goal of becoming a youth worker.

On top of all that - this month I’m getting the chance to go on a ten-week expedition to Borneo with Raleigh International. It's mental to think how far I've come...

Vicki, 18

I first came to Fairbridge about a year ago – I heard about the centre through the careers people. I’d been kicked out of my nans and was just passing from friend to friend, staying on their settees. They said I’d be able to pick up skills to get a job. I was doing a lot of drugs at that time too – pills and speed – I just wanted to die.

Access was brilliant. It was so good to get out of Swansea. I didn’t need to do what I’d been doing – I was on the wrong path. We got to go rock climbing and gorge walking – totally new to me! Everyone in the group was lovely too.

I’ve had the opportunity to do lots of other stuff at Fairbridge too – I did a residential in the Peak District, walking miles and miles! I’ve also been to the Fairbridge in Kent music studio where I even wrote my own song. I’ve always been into writing poems so to put some words to music felt really good.

I’m making a film at the moment that is going to be shown at the Fairbridge Film and Animation Awards in London. We’re working with Richard Mylan which is great – he’s mad, a real laugh. The film is about drug use – its good to make as I don’t do any of that anymore. I’m back on the right path now. I’m even getting on better with my nan – we talk a lot more.