"I feel like a different person" -Teenager transforms life of drugs and booze to successful career
He's had problems with alcohol, cannabis and violence – and had regular run-ins with the police since he was 11.
But now teenager Ross Hornby has turned his his life around and is on the road to success after bagging an apprenticeship.
The 17-year-old, from Telford, says he feels like a different person and puts his turnaround down to the Prince’s Trust Team Programme in Telford.
He has since done 240 hours of voluntary work as part of a traineeship with the City Of Wolverhampton College, where he works as an acting assistant team leader for the Trust.
Now, the college is set offer him an apprenticeship – meaning he'll be getting paid for his hardwork.
He said: "I used to get into fights all the time because I thought I had to, I smoked cannabis and used to drink, which I don't do anymore.
"I completely cut drugs, alcohol and the bad people out of my life.
"I feel like a different person. I loved every minute of the course. I had a few slip ups along the way but was told how I can fix them and kept moving forwards – which I'm going to keep on doing."
As part of the programme, he had to deliver a final presentation in front of 60 guests – which he made the decision to take charge of.
The teenager has been praised by Princes Trust team leader Mike Hindley, 22, from Telford, who was medically discharged form the army.
Ross has heaps of praise for Mr Hindley, and says he can't thank him enough for the support he's been given.
"Mike has helped me in so many different ways, he said. "The amount of mistakes I've made either little or big, he's showed me that I should realise what I've done and showed me the ways I can improve on myself.
"Now I've been offered an apprenticeship. It's pretty much the same to what I've been doing, but I'll be getting paid for it. On the traineeship I'm not getting paid, but I'm getting paid with knowledge."
Despite a rocky start, Mr Hindley said Ross had been a pleasure to work with and has a big future ahead of him.
"Ross has been on a youth offending order since he was just under 16 and used to have a really negative attitude towards staff and fellow team members.
"He used to think violence was acceptable and use to enjoy going round with friends acting up and showing off.
"But Ross is not that person anymore. I have known him for roughly six months and all I can say is that it’s been an absolute pleasure.
"He puts in 110 per cent every day and always wants to better himself.
"We bounce off each other, which works really well. I was telling him off at the start but his initiative is really good. He's showing up some assistants that are full-time already!"
