AN INSPIRATIONAL youth leader who got his life back on track after battling heroin addiction is hitting the road to help turn around the lives of young people.

The award-winning Youth Shedz Cymru, set up by Scott Jenkinson in 2017, which helps its young members to explore and develop themselves, has been boosted by cash confiscated from criminals.

The pioneering project has been credited with steering a number away from a life of crime and it is now established in Denbigh, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Kinmel Bay, and has supported IT Abergele Community Action (ITACA) in creating a further Youth Shed in Abergele.

It went mobile with a Volkswagen camper van converted by its young volunteers and now a Vauxhall minibus, christened 'Betsi' and gifted by partner organisation Grŵp Cynefin, is also on the streets.

Betsi can now get going as well thanks to a £5,000 grant from a special fund distributed by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, with the cash used to help cover running costs including tax and insurance.

The money comes from the Your Community, Your Choice scheme, also supported by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), which is celebrating its 23rd anniversary this year.

Scott said: “This will allow us to go out and visit more communities, travelling to different places and engaging with more young people.

“We have worked with a number of young people who have been prime candidates to go the wrong way in life but they have ended up going to college instead. That isn't just down to me, but it is nice to know we have helped in some way.

"Our work is not just about anti-social behaviour. We engage with young people who may have issues with confidence and we are here to help them."

Betsi was already fitted out as a mobile classroom, complete with a whiteboard, TV and heating and Youth Shedz staff and volunteers will be taking along food and drink and providing activities such as a new virtual reality project.

"To say I'm delighted would be an absolute understatement," said Scott, 47, from Llandudno.

"It's a lot of money and this is hugely important for us.

"We are very grateful that people have voted for us. This funding will make a lot of difference and support what we are trying to do."

Scott's role leading the project represents a major transformation from the life he once lived.

Now a happily married father to seven-year-old Emily, Scott's life was previously blighted by addiction, homelessness and even time in prison.

But he has gone on to work as an award-winning tutor and establish Youth Shedz and he hopes his experiences can inspire the young people he engages with.

"I’m grateful for the help certain people gave me when I needed it after being in rehab and that has led to me doing what I do now," he said.

"I want to give people that same opportunity where others may not be willing to."

The project has gathered momentum, with Scott receiving enquiries from an increased number of communities about replicating the scheme.

"My vision would be to have a Youth Shed in every town," said Scott, whose wife Sian is also part of the Youth Shedz team.

"Being able to take Betsi out on the road means we can outreach into areas where there isn't currently a Youth Shed."

Thanks to the funding Welsh speaker Angela Lloyd, who originally joined as a volunteer, now works at the shed in her home town of Blaenau Ffestiniog and in Kinmel Bay.

Youth Shedz' funding boost comes just weeks after it secured £2,000 from KFC to allow it to acquire virtual reality headsets for use by young members.

The organisation also regularly receives funding from the Steve Morgan Foundation, the Gwynt y Mor Community Fund, and the High Sheriff’s Crimebeat Youth Fund to allow it to carry out its work helping young people.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “I am delighted that my Your Community Your Choice fund continues to support community projects across North Wales for an eighth consecutive year."