A teenager had his life transformed by Government's Mirrors programme — and now he is urging others to give it a try.

"Try it, because it can help you change your outlook on life and help you get back on track," said 18-year-old Wendelle Lightbourne.

Eight months ago, Mr. Lightbourne didn't care about school or his future in general, now he is preparing for a career in diesel engineering and plans to start college in the Autumn

So what made the difference? According to Mr. Lightbourne, it was the guidance he received in the Mirrors programme, Government's solution for those teenagers deemed at-risk or on-the-verge of falling through the cracks.

"For me it made me realise the importance in life. In life you have to do things on your own in order to get somewhere," Mr. Lightbourne said. "At Mirrors they just try to make you a better person, and it works."

When asked to describe his past behaviour, Mr. Lightbourne told The Royal Gazette: "Before I just didn't care. I had a don't carish attitude because of things that happened when I was growing up, family things.

"For me school was just a place to go until my parents knocked off from work."

Mr. Lightbourne was referred to the programme by staff at CedarBridge Academy, and though he wanted to quit after his first day, he stuck with it. "I wanted a change," he said. "I wanted to get my career started, use those stepping stones."

The programme began with a six-day residential portion in November, which encouraged the young people taking part and take a critical look at their lives — find out who they are, how they got to this point and what was needed to turn things around.

Since then, they have been paired up with a committed partner, a trained volunteer who helps them reach any goals they may set, in a nine-month follow-through phase.

Lorna McGowan, Mr. Lightbourne's committed partner, admits she has seen drastic changes in his attitude and focus in the past few months.

"From someone who wasn't really sure about what he wanted to do, to someone who is now very focused, very driven, very determined and ambitious," she said. "He has a plan in place and he is diligently working toward that and he has matured a lot from the first time I started to meet with him one on one.

"Its amazing. Seeing him change and develop from the first time we met to someone who isn't afraid to stand up and present himself in a room full of adults. It's just proof that we all need attention and we all need someone to show us that they have an interest in us."

Ms McGowan used her networks to help Mr. Lightbourne secure a job with Marine and Ports and watched as the he successfully attained his General Education Diploma (GED) and was awarded an expedition in Costa Rica with Bermuda Raleigh International.

Ms McGowan admits she had a strong family-foundation while growing up and believes it is only right for her to help others in need, which is why she has been volunteering for more than ten years with various groups around the Island. Of all the places she has volunteered, she maintains that the Mirrors programme is the best, simply because of all the training she received, including monthly sessions with an overseas trainer.

She said: "The reason I would call it a success is that for some of the young people that are currently in this programme, the results may not be realised straight away, but at some point after this programme, I am absolutely certain that both the young people and their family and friends will definitely see a change and improvement."

Though Mr. Lightbourne remains modest, he has seen some positive changes in himself.

He said: "I've seen a change a little bit in my attitude, gradually, and just my overall appreciation. I am not the same person I was back then.

"It's a success because it worked with all the other people I can think of in the programme. For us to complete the residential it worked. People like me, who like freedom and like to do what they want to do — my generation period are not going to do it. But you have to have patience with the Mirrors Programme," he said.

Anyone interested in more information about the Mirrors Programme can contact their office at 294-9291, and ask for Kimberley Jackson, or email them at mirrors@gov.bm.