Those facing the stark landscape of unemployment are likely to have encountered prejudice, fallen behind at school or experienced challenging circumstances at home.
Thomas Tapfumaneyi, a 32-year-old youth worker with the charity Rathbone, is no stranger to adversity - a point he often shares with young people.
"By working with the integrated youth support service and liaising with Connexions I get a bit of an understanding about young people's backgrounds," he explains. "But for them to open up and for me to understand how I can help them, I have to tell them a bit about myself."
Now a proud resident of Rochdale and co-ordinator and tutor for the Progress to Success programme, Tapfumaneyi's childhood experiences have had an important impact on his career.
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