Lesley Millar, Manager, Rathbone, Motherwell

One of the biggest challenges faced by young people in these areas is transport. Although their main centre may only be about seven miles away, transport links are not good, so the chances of attending are decreased. So we have opened centres in rural towns and villages such as Lanark, Larkhall and Lesmahagow. It's not easy for young people in these areas - they may lack the confidence to travel.

We work with them on a daily basis teaching them life skills: anything from appreciating the importance of time keeping to cooking and budgeting. We also work on literacy, numeracy, self-development and how to do a job search. Young people have a programme that involves them coming in every day.

It is tough to keep young people interested and attending the course as we are trying to change their entire outlook on life. They may not have attended school very regularly and think they can just start signing on or get a job. We have to get them ready for work, equipping them with skills or helping them sell the skills they have. We also arrange work placements.

The aim is to get at least 50 per cent of our young people in work by the end of the course, and we achieve that. However, it is gratifying just to see them do something that they couldn't manage before, whether it is cooking a meal or writing a letter.

Because of our success working with young people in rural areas, I have also been managing a centre in Hawick in the Borders over the past year. It's great that the best practice of Lanarkshire has been recognised in this way.