a charity has helped an off-the-rails teenager turn her life around – from young offender to budding writer.

After numerous run-ins with police, resulting in a court appearance and a 12-month youth offending order, Toni Baker, 16, first walked into the Wilderness Foundation office last September after a recommendation by her Brentwood Connexions worker.

And now, after getting back on the straight and narrow, it's an entirely different story for Toni, who eloquently tells her story on The Wilderness Foundation website.

She has just completed work experience at the Brentwood Gazette and is volunteering at the charity, having graduated as a "shining star" of its first year-long TurnAround programme.

In fact, she is the first member of the countywide TurnAround programme to secure a professional work placement.

Sue MacFarlane, the foundation's project co-ordinator for TurnAround, said: "One of the strengths of our programme is the involvement of the local community in helping to change these young people's lives – from our volunteer coaches through to local businesses providing sponsorship and work experience opportunities.

"The foundation was delighted that Toni was the first person on TurnAround to benefit from this and immensely grateful to the Gazette for offering her a placement.

"She has written several articles in the paper and is brimming with pride over her achievements."

The charity is dedicated to helping the county's vulnerable young people break negative behaviour patterns and realise their full potential.

At the heart of The Wilderness Foundation is a passionate belief that spending time in wild places can have a dramatic effect on personal awareness.

And with this in mind the charity takes young people on a 10-day wilderness trail in Scotland with a team of trained and dedicated volunteer coaches.

Speaking of her experience on the Isle of Mull, Toni said: "It was emotionally and physically hard for all the participants and there were a few arguments, but we all found strengths we didn't know we had.

"I feel this experience pushed us to our boundaries and made us realise that life has no limits, life is what you make it.

"My life coach Ali has been such a great help giving me advice and just as someone to talk to. In our sessions we looked at ways to manage anger and set realistic goals to achieve."

Monthly workshops focus on progress and exciting new experiences such as canoeing or rock climbing before the final stage of the programme – a second wilderness trail.

Toni also spent five days as a crew member on The Morning Star tall ship. She said: "The atmosphere on the boat was that of peace and everyone had to pull together to keep us moving. Being in such confined living quarters helped me to become more tolerant of people and less aggressive."

The programme's success is evident – every single July graduate is keen to return as a volunteer helper.

Toni added: "The project has given me the confidence to face my fears and get on in life, leaving the old me well behind."

The second phase of TurnAround will begin in November. If you want to take part or are 23 or over and would like to volunteer call 01245 443073 or visit www.wildernessfoundation.org.uk