Michael is 12 years of age. He is threatened with exclusion from school because of his uncontrolled aggression. His father is in prison for sexually abusing members of the family. He is the only male left in the family and as he approaches puberty is struggling with his self image and what his father has done.

Monica is failing to turn up at school. She is 15 years old and living with her mother, who is an alcoholic. Monica is struggling to cope with the chaos and confusion that living with an alcoholic can bring, and also with being bullied at school.

Ian is 19 years old and has been homeless since he was 13. He has been living rough in squats and on the streets and at one stage was involved with drugs. He has no family support and no qualifications. He has many issues which include depression and confusion.

Dave is 16 years old and is homeless – most recently living in a disused car. He has no money, no food and only the clothes he stands up in. Suffering from depression, he has been inhaling between 5-10 cans of lighter fluid a day. He survives by begging.

"We depend on organisations such as the YMCA to enable highly disadvantaged young people to escape a life of poverty of mind, body and spirit and develop the potential they all have."

Mike Woodhouse, Former Chairman, The Prince's Trust (Volunteers)