Back from the brink.

Byline: Joanna Desira

A bullying victim who was driven out of school and even considered taking her own life is now dishing out invaluable advice to students.

Cleveland College of Art and Design student Jean Wilkinson has gained enough confidence to agree to be one of a team of mentors helping youngsters at the Rathbone Training Centre.

Jean, from Linthorpe, helped Rathbone students in a T-shirt design project.

The Middlesbrough-based Rathbone centre offers support and training for people experiencing disadvantage, and was where Jean studied English and maths after leaving school.

The 17-year-old revealed she had even contemplated suicide while at school, but the brave teenager has turned her life around.

She said: "I enjoyed it when I went to Rathbone. I had no confidence whatsoever because of the bullying at school. They put me into Oxfam as a volunteer and I started talking to people again.

"I've enjoyed returning to Rathbone, it was very interesting. I've learned so much at college and my tutor Andrea said 'do you fancy going to Rathbone to do print and design?'

"It was quite a good experience to teach other people and they responded quite well."

Jean took her courses with help from the Neighbourhood Support Fund - which helps people aged 13 to 19 back into mainstream learning, education and employment.

Rathbone student Scott Fowler, 16, of Guisborough, is learning to become a chef and designed a T-shirt based on the Boro.

He said: "I was going to join the Army but then I decided I wanted to become a chef. I came here for the qualifications and for confidence as well.

"The design didn't turn out how I expected it to. It's better and a surprise because I put the design on paper and it came out totally different."

Craig Wilson, 19, of Brotton, a student at the art college, said: "We showed them the different techniques we have learned at art college. They were really open to ideas and open to learning."

It is hoped the initiative will continue.

Rathbone centre manager Hugh Prior said: "It has provided an insight how art and design can be developed into real career opportunities.

"It has helped to develop skills beyond art and design, it has encouraged communication, teamwork, planning skills and problem solving, all the key skills that employers look for."