A future of hope; LOU PRENDERGAST discovers how one man made a journey from a pit of despair to a fulfilling career.

AMINER who spent a year on strike during the historic miners' dispute in 1984 was so grateful for the help he received during that period that he decided he wanted to help others.

Willie McKeown, who worked at Longannet pit in Fife, made a decision to start a new career in social care.

For the past five years, the 45--year-old, from Kilsyth, has been a residential social care worker in St Mary's Kenmure secure unit in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.

And he's backing a recruitment campaign - Care for Your Future - to find trainees who could become qualified residential social care workers.

St Mary's looks after children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

And Willie, assistant unit manager at the centre, is urging adults of all ages and backgrounds to consider making a career in the child and youth care sector.

More residential care staff - male and female - will be needed when two new secure units open next year at the Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton and St Philip's School in Plains, by Airdrie.

The units, which are being built as part of the Scottish Executive's youth justice programme, will provide a secure residential, education and caring environment for youngsters aged 12 to 16.

Willie hasn't looked back since changing career direction.

He said: 'I love working with the young people and the job satisfaction is though the roof. I really look forward to work.

'We have the chance to change a young person's life for the better. We can help kids turn their lives around before they end up in jail.'

Cora Learning, the in-house training provider for St Philip's, the Good Shepherd Centre and St Mary's, is servicing the Care for Your Future recruitment campaign.

During the eight-month Cora Learning programme, trainees will get pounds 750 per month, 18 days paid leave, up to pounds 1000 travelling expenses and meals along with training and assessment towards an HNC in Social Care, and an SVQ in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People), Level 3.

They also receive support and mentoring, the chance of work experience at St Mary's and a guaranteed interview for a permanent post.

David Rennie, Cora learning's director, said: 'The main purpose of a residential social care worker is to provide care and support to young people in a safe, stimulating and secure environment. The young people will have experienced a high level of anxiety or anger in their lives.

'The social care team needs to demonstrate effective communication and empathy with each young person, have personal awareness and self-confidence with an open mind, and be imaginative in working with young people.

'Trainees must show they have the capability to develop these qualities - our training programme will do the rest.'

People can find out more by calling 01505-863100 or visiting the website at www.careforyourfuture.org

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DARE TO CARE: Willie; McKeown relishes the opportunity to help young people sort out their lives