Published at 19:23, Thursday, 30 October 2008

A COMPANY that works with schoolchildren at risk of being expelled is set to expand into the North East.

EXPANSION: Derek Ward

Future Positive, run by Derek Ward, of Derwent Street, Cockermouth, has worked with pupils from Netherhall School in Maryport and Southfield Technology College in Workington.

He is now looking to expand his work to Teesside.

Derek said: “There are more meaty problems over there – some of the work that I really enjoy doing.”

Projects are designed to help pupils at risk of dropping out of the education system.

His work involves taking youngsters out of school for a week to take part in activities like fell walking and climbing and discussing the issues that they face.

Derek is able to draw on his own experiences when discussing the difficulties that youngsters can experience.

His biological father was killed before Derek was born, and then, aged four, he found his stepfather dead after an epileptic seizure.

Derek started using heroin at the age of 18, but turned his life around after he served a jail term for shoplifting.

He moved to Cumbria on his release, and last year received the adult learners award at the West Cumbrian heat of the Learning and Skills Council’s Excellence in Cumbria Awards.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk