J is 21 years old and is currently in temporary accommodation in a B and B in Chippenham.

One day he would like to get a place of his own in Bristol or Bath. He has been homeless for a few weeks mainly sleeping in the back of his friends’ cars

Life has been a struggle for J since he comes from a poor background and was bullied at school and college. Mum and dad split up when he was 15 and dad didn’t support the family. J doesn’t see his dad anymore and says his friends are more like a family to him now.

“ I went to the wrong school. I should have gone to an ordinary secondary school but there weren’t enough places and I had to go a special needs school. The teachers helped others and I felt left out. I couldn’t read and write but in the end I taught myself. My education was messed up. Everyone should be entitled to education. It shouldn’t matter what your background is.”

J is particularly proud of his time with the Prince’s Trust when he helped make a BBQ and design a mural for a Youth Hostel and an Old People’s Home. He participated in fund raising for charity and helped take people with learning disabilities to the zoo. This was a “really rewarding” experience for J and at the end of his time with the Prince’s Trust there was a big presentation at Bristol Rovers’ Football Ground which is one of J’s special memories.

Despite some tough times in his life J is upbeat about his future and one day hopes to help others through voluntary work.