Charity supporting young men wants to expand

A charity that helps young men in Cornwall is looking to expand.

A Band of Brothers already has groups in Penzance and Falmouth, and leaders now want to set one up in St Austell.

It offers mentoring support to 18 to 25 year olds from the care system, in supported accommodation or who have been in or are at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Men taking part are encouraged to explore personal feelings of sadness, grief and anger to help address self-destructive and anti-social behaviour.

Tony McGarr from the Falmouth and Penryn branch of the charity said there is much demand for its services.

"I think there's a genuine lack of community throughout the country.

"But in Cornwall, because we're a fairly widespread population, small towns, and also with the demise of youth clubs and centres to support young people, there's definitely a much bigger need than there was 20 years ago", he said.

The young men attend a ceremony with family, friends and community leaders after weeks of mentoring and a 'rites of passage' weekend.

One user, Joshua, was in care until he was three, before being adopted and said he faced challenges as he got older.

He said: "I was hanging around with the wrong people, but now I look at life differently.

"You get an understanding of life that you didn't have before. And it just helps you see things in a third person's perspective."

Another service user, Hugh, had challenges with alcohol and cannabis, alongside difficult family relationships.

"My life was in disarray.

"Now I've seen that I am a human being that is worthy of love and attention and I have learned to take ownership of myself", he said.

• If you are worried about your own or someone else's mental health, you can call the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NHS 24-hour mental health response line for free on 0800 038 5300.