"YOU'RE the guy who works with all those scumbags in Derwentside, aren't you."

Billy Robson stiffens as he recalls the encounter in a pub one night and, sadly, this is an attitude he has become used to while working for the Consett and District YMCA.

Now the charity's chief executive, he lost his job, career and future along with thousands of others when the steelworks closed and pulled the plug on the town a quarter of a century ago.

A lot of societal problems developed, but Mr Robson, now 50, has spent the past 25 years helping people find their way in life and believes everyone deserves another chance.

It gets up his nose when people write off misguided youth as no-hopers.

He said: "It is just as well I am not a big drinker, otherwise I might have knocked that bloke's head off.

"There are no bad kids really. They have just got different circumstances, and we believe that every person should be helped informally and confidentially.

"We want to make them feel they are doing something worthwhile, and help them get on in life."

As well as sign-posting wayward young people towards services that can help them with problems, such as drug addiction, alcohol abuse, homelessness and mental illness, the Consett and District YMCA offers a valuable service to well-grounded young people.

It offers courses to schools and youth groups, enabling youngsters to try exciting outdoor pursuits such as rock-climbing, abseiling, canoeing, camping, orienteering and character-enhancing team-building challenges.

The organisation has 26 football teams, making the sport accessible to boys and girls of all ages who want to play competitively.

Young people can get involved in the furniture recycling scheme it operates, help with the work of the charity shop and get involved with various fundraising projects.

The YMCA also helps train young people who prove themselves determined to get into full-time work, and helps them gain the necessary qualifications to impress employers.

Mr Robson said: "The misconception is that young people hanging around on the street are up to no good, when they are not doing anything at all.

"It is the tolerance in adults that has gone.

"The young people are there because there is nothing to do anywhere else, so we try offer them some positive experiences in their lives."

Consett and District YMCA costs about £700,000 a year to run, and it partly runs itself as a business, making the most out of the services it offers, as well as relying on grants and community funding resources.

It also works with businesses in the local community that sponsor young people, to help them gain the skills to enter the world of work by completing a six-month or year-long employment experience programme with the YMCA.

Mr Robson is looking for companies that feel they might be able to help the YMCA continue its work helping people succeed in life and wants them to get in touch.

Anyone who thinks they may be interested can call Mr Robson on (01207) 502680 or 0773 632 8979.