Stories from the streets

Simon started running away from home when he was 10 'for a laugh.' He used to meet up with friends and walk around for a few hours during the day, returning home when he was hungry. The first time, Simon was given a lecture by his parents and grounded for several weeks.

The running away continued however and his behaviour began to deteriorate. At one point, Simon and his friends started stealing from cars and smashing windows on the estate where they lived.

By the age of 12, Simon was running away overnight, drinking alcohol, sniffing glue and smoking cannabis. He began to steal money from his parents to support himself while he was running.

Both the police and social services became involved as a result of his behaviour. In the end - when Simon was just 14 - his parents decided they couldn't cope with his behaviour any longer.

He was placed in a children's home, from which he also ran away on many occasions to go to raves. When he was 17, he was homeless for a year and stayed with friends as well as sleeping rough. He eventually got a place in a hostel where he lived for a year. He now lives in a flat with his girlfriend.