The Youth Steps project is seeking young adults aged 18 to 25 to work with other young people - posts that would naturally suit those who already know the value of youth work. As well as vital experience, getting involved with Youth Steps will lead to accreditation for completion of the course and presents a golden opportunity to step onto the career ladder.

Youth Steps is a Prince's Trust-supported programme, funded by the National Voluntary Youth Organisations grant scheme and run in partnership with The NYA, YMCA England and Wiltshire Youth Development Service. It is aimed at young people who have faced barriers and who have benefited from personal development programmes - particularly those who now have an interest in making the transition from participant to leader.

A key element of the programme is the self-assessment undertaken in conjunction with a support worker, which not only helps participants to assess their own personal qualities but also introduces them to rating themselves against a series of job descriptions, producing evidence to support their rating. This plays an important role in achieving accreditation and becomes the major tool to record change and progress.

Youth Steps has just completed its first cohort programme. Fifteen young people, all between 15 and 25 years of age, attended Burton Manor in Cheshire on a cold day at the end of January for their first residential. They came from a number of organisations that work with young people - local youth services, Connexions, neighbourhood projects and the sponsor's own organisations. They experienced a highly varied programme with inputs, workshops, games, individual tasks, presentations and time to reflect and to be honest about themselves and their learning. The words participants used to describe the programme ranged from "colourful and challenging" to "exciting, inspiring and educational". The rest of the programme received similar feedback. For more information, contact The Prince's Trust on 0800 842 842 or email offnero@princes-trust.org.uk.