A BLACKBURN teenager went from hanging around on the streets to studying her dream degree at university after becoming a Young Leader at the town’s £6 million Youth Zone.

Rhia Adams, from Pleckgate, would loiter in Church Street before one of her friends told her about the state-of-the-art Youth Zone, in Jubilee Street.

After checking it out, Rhia became a regular at the club and then a Young Leader, and said it changed her life.

The Lancashire Telegraph yesterday launched a campaign to raise £60,000 to train 100 more teen leaders like Rhia, who will then be able to volunteer in, and help to improve, their local communities.

The 18-year-old said: “I had no expectations and I only thought it was going to be a small centre, like the usual old-fashioned youth clubs. I was so wrong, and ended up spending nearly every day at the Youth Zone.

“I felt included and involved and I was able to develop my passion for music in the music suite.”

Rhia went on to become one of Youth Zone’s Young Leaders, which, she admitted, made her a better person.

She said: “When I was accepted on to the programme, I felt proud. I worked with the juniors, supporting the music sessions, and with the inclusion sessions for young people with disabilities.

“Being part of the Young Leaders programme developed my confidence in all areas, from working with my peers to working with junior members. “I am now more talkative and less shy, and able to engage with others easily.

“It’s made me learn to stand on my own two feet and do things for myself.”

The Youth Zone’s chief executive, Peter Little, said: “The reason for this appeal is because there’s a demand for it. Young people want an opportunity to give something back to their community. This programme gives them the skills, motivation and chance to do it.”

Rhia added: “The Young Leaders programme was helpful and supportive and different from any other thing I’d heard of before because I was given the opportunity to make choices and my opinion was valued.

“All decisions were made for me before I became a Young Leader, but through the programme I made the decisions I wanted to, based on my own thinking.”