youngsters are swapping a former steel town for the former Eastern Bloc as part of a scheme to make them appreciate what they have.

Four 18 and 19-year-olds from Consett YMCA have joined forces with The Prince's Trust to experience the rigors of life in Warsaw, Poland.

Kim Goulding, Ross Connell, Robert Munro and Emma Marshall are travelling to Eastern Europe as part of the YMCA's remit to educate youngsters on Continental issues.

The women will spend the visit helping out in a women's refuge and orphanage while the men will be carrying out environmental work including painting and decorating.

Youth leader Billy Robson explained the idea behind the scheme: "This visit will show them that, in fact, they are fairly well-off in comparison. It is designed to encourage them to help people more unfortunate than themselves."

They will set off for Poland later this month after a debriefing in London next week.

Meanwhile, the YMCA's Girls Youth Action Group is planning to visit residential homes in Derwentside to build up a better relationship with pensioners.

As well as bingo, the girls will also be introducing a memory box which contains old-fashioned items designed to jog people's memories.

To book the group to visit or anyone with any old items to contribute to the memory box can contact Billy Robson on (01207) 502680.