SOME people involved in the council-backed Foundation Park event on Saturday had seen first-hand how young people can struggle with offending or drugs issues.

A young troublemaker turned his life around to help other youths avoid making the same mistakes, and a council-run support service helps teenagers with substance abuse problems.

Richard Whyburd, better known as ZBoogz, started the Academy of Street Dance four years ago with DJ ScratchWell and graffiti artist Cello.

Richard said: "We all had slippery teenage years and learnt things the hard way, which gives us a different perspective.

"I was very active with the youth offending team, shall we say, when I was a teenager because I felt I didn't have the opportunity to do much else.

"I was not channelling my artistic impulses in the right way, I was spraying on walls illegally and things like that.

"I came close to jail a few times, then focused on dance and started my own business which makes decent money and helps kids.

"As an adult, I realised how important it is to provide opportunities for young people. If there's not enough government funding to get youth clubs up and running, we'll come down with the decks and the boards and make sure there's something available.

"If young people have nothing to do with their free time, they will find somewhere else less productive to put that energy, which is why there's so much petty crime and knife crime.

"They can sense I have walked that path and understand why I'm trying to direct them down a different one, a better one."

For more information about the Swindon Academy of Street Dance, text 07533 648474, visit the Facebook page or academyofstreetdance.org

Kat Booth of substance misuse support service U-Turn had a stall with a range of information leaflets and advice.

She and her colleague Becky Lewis deal with 10 to 25 cases each, helping 14 to 18 year olds who are struggling with cannabis, alcohol, MDMA, ketamine, Xanax, or mental health issues caused by mixed drug use.

Kat said: "We work with schools and meet with young people to provide advice or refer them to treatment if they feel ready. It's non-judgmental, we just ensure they have the right information to make the right choice as safely as possible so they can live their best lives."

Call 01793 464662 or email uturn@swindon.gov.uk for more information.