Jenna, 18

When I first heard about Fairbridge I was in hospital, on a mental health ward as an out patient but staying at the hospital as I didn’t really have anywhere else to go. That was well over six months ago now.

I had been through a lot as a young kid I’d been left with absolutely no confidence. I didn’t go out, I didn’t do anything.

When I first started at Fairbridge I did a resi called Access. We went mountain climbing, abseiling and map reading and we got away from everything. That was the best bit. I really enjoyed myself for once.

I think I started to come out of myself when we produced a film for the IMAX Awards. I had quite a big part in the film and really had to learn to take compliments. It was quite a big step for me.

Fairbridge has been amazing for me. Charlotte has always been there for me, someone to talk to and for me to go to for advice on how to deal with difficult situations.

I got my own flat a few months ago. It was hard being on my own at first but Fairbridge gave me loads of support when I was struggling to get by.

In September, I’m starting a Psychology course at uni. I’m going to do the four week intro part and if its right for me I’ll enrol in the two-year course. I’m also volunteering with younger children in the area; once every two weeks I take a young person who has some kind of impairment or illness and show them that they can live a normal life.

Laura, 14

I was referred to Fairbridge by my school just over a year ago now. Before I started, I was self harming everyday, getting into trouble at school and walking out of lessons. Things were bad at home and that affected my work as well and I was on the verge of being excluded. I was sent to a councillor, but nothing seemed to work. I had no confidence and I didn’t believe in myself at all, that’s where Fairbridge came in. I was nervous at first, but when I got there and realised how supportive and down to earth the people were, I got more comfortable and went back to do more courses.

So far I’ve done my Access, an art course, and bleeping babies. I absolutely loved it – it gave me a chance to realise what it would be like being a teenage mother. The course had a residential; I hadn’t been away from home in 6 years so it was a big achievement for me. The staff were really supportive and encouraged me all the way; I couldn’t have done it without them.

Fairbridge really helped me change my life around for the better. They gave me the confidence to get my life back on track and saw a future in me, I can't thank them enough.