'I could have been dead but gained self-esteem'

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"I was referred to the foundation when I was 14 after being expelled from school.

"I didn't follow the rules or respect the school. The teachers labelled me a troublemaker and I felt misunderstood so it got worse. I hadn't taken my SATS and didn't feel as if I had any prospects. I spent my days just hanging around on the streets doing nothing and it was only a matter of time before trouble was going to catch up with me.

"The foundation helped me in so many ways for my personal development. They gave me anger management, one-to-one tuition and counselling. They helped me build my selfconfidence through public speaking, helped give me ambitions and goals.

"A lot of kids that drop out of school get into this nocturnal lifestyle. Their day starts at 3pm or 4pm and they are out in the streets until 3am or 4am. The programme made me be ready by 8am every day. It gave me the structure and routine I needed - and self-esteem.

"I went to college and passed five GCSEs and three A-levels. I'm now at university and have aspirations to be a film producer. I have already made my first short film about bullying, which I wrote and produced. I am inspired by Spike Lee and Ridley Scott and want to make films about the reality of life in London.

"I am also part of the Met's youth advisory group and have met the Commissioner and discussed with him stop and search and ways I think the police can improve relations with young people.

"If the foundation hadn't come along for me... well, put it this way, most of the people I knew back then are now in jail or a mental hospital or are dead."