A WOMAN who spent much of her childhood in care is set to use her experiences to "inspire" vulnerable young people in Bradford in her first job.

Evie Weaver, 21, has begun a full-time paid apprenticeship as a community resource worker within Bradford Council's Looked-after Children and Leaving Care Service, a role which will become a permanent job after two years.

Initially placed in care at the age of five, Evie briefly went back to live with her family but their relationship broke down leaving her with nowhere to go.

She stayed with a community home before being supported by youth homelessness charities, including Centrepoint, which has been responsible for providing support services in the Bradford area since November last year and is now working with more than 300 homeless young people aged 16 to 25.

More than 40 per cent of young people who end staying with Centrepoint report symptoms of poor mental health, and Evie said her experiences had left her low on confidence and struggling with depression.

“Everything just got too much for me," she said.

“But the staff at Centrepoint were amazing, the whole team. They always supported me, went out of their way, were flexible when I was feeling low.

"Over time they helped me try new opportunities and I just thought, you either carry on the way you are, or you get out there and you get involved.”

In her new role, Evie, who has sat on the Children in Care Council for more than a year advising on services for young people, will be supporting group work with children, young people and their families.

She said she is "excited" to be starting her work, and is determined to give young people a voice to challenge stereotypes.

“I can relate to young people in care, I’ve lived in hostels, foster care and in kids' homes," she said.

"They aren’t statistics or stereotypes, like ‘alkies’ or ‘druggies,' they’re people and they’re capable of great things.

"The care system has changed a lot since I was five, and this job will give young people a voice to keep changing services for the better.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling, I’ve just got a permanent smile on my face. But it’s not over, this is where the hard work starts.”

As well as providing a safe place to stay, Centrepoint also helps homeless young people to tackle the physical and mental health problems caused by homelessness, and supports them in learning new skills to return to education or find work.

The charity’s patron, The Duke of Cambridge, visited Centrepoint’s Bradford Foyer hostel in West Bowling in June.

Freda Dyson, the charity's supportive housing manager, said: “We are all very proud of Evie, she has travelled a great distance since our first encounter, outside a hostel in Bradford as a teenager.

"We wish her every success in her chosen career path and know that she will be a great inspiration to other young people.”

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “This fantastic news shows that with the right support young people can achieve whatever they put their mind to.

"I hope Evie enjoys her work with the Council and continues with her clear enthusiasm for the role."