THERE is so much emphasis put on education and qualifications these days that it is, perhaps, not surprising to find that many youngsters are disillusioned with school.

For some, particularly disadvantaged children, the school setting can be a scary place and the hope of achieving at GCSE level can often be a dream rather than a reality.

But Charlie Barrett, who runs the very successful Harmony Youth Project, knows - from personal experience - that leaving school without formal qualifications does not have to mean you are thrown on the scrap-heap.

Now he hopes the registered charity can become a training centre for young people - a place they can gain the skills they need to get on in life.

Charlie, aged 40, left school without qualifications. "I think it's important that young people realise school is not your last chance of getting somewhere in life," he said.

This larger-than-life character who has an enviable rapport with young people is proof that determination and self-belief can get you what you want in life.

He is a trained counsellor and loves the work he does at Harmony - particularly as he knows it makes a difference to young lives.

His project attracts around 400 Young people a week. Many are disaffected youngsters - some have been involved in stealing cars and drinking alcohol on street corners before joining in the Wordsworth Street, Halliwell scheme.

Some have been given Anti Social Behaviour Orders but they soon learn there is another way to live their lives.

They enjoy a range of activities, including dance and music. They can learn how to become a DJ and get involved in creative writing, graphics and art.

It is an opportunity for the youngsters to change their lives and to do something positive.

But the real benefit is that it gives the young people - aged 13 to 20 -the chance to explore their talents and gain confidence and self -esteem which, ultimately, can help them into employment.

Charlie has given a chance to two of his young people. Rob Davis, aged 20, from Radcliffe, works at the centre on the Wordsworth Trading Estate, and his talent was spotted by Charlie when he started to attend the club as a young teenager.

"I saw the potential of Rob. I felt he could be a great mentor and a valuable asset to the club," said Charlie.

Rob said he found school "a bit of a drag" and did not enjoy his time there. But he loves being in work.

Charlie got advice from the Bolton Enterprise Centre and they helped to fund Rob and put him through training and NVQ Level 2 in business and administration.

"It is a great incentive for the other young people to see somebody like Rob who has done so well for himself," said Charlie.

Rob is delighted to have been given the chance to work at Harmony. "I enjoy what I do. There is so much to learn and I'm still learning. I am doing something I love," said Rob.

Another of Charlie's prodigies is 18-year-old Jamie Wardle. Jamie, who lives in Darcy Lever, recognises that he did not work as hard at school as he could.

But his rapport with the other youngsters was obvious and Charlie was determined to give him a chance.

He is now doing an NVQ Level 2 in Youth Work now and Charlie says it was his interaction with the other young people that helped him to recognise Jamie's potential.

"I am from a youth work background and I could see that Jamie had the potential. The young people can relate to him," said Charlie.

Bolton Council has been a huge help to Charlie, financially, in his quest to give youngsters a chance in life and provide them with the qualifications they will need.

But it is Charlie's experience and knowledge that helps him pick out the young people who have the potential to make success of their lives - just as someone saw the potential in him years ago. "Youngsters used to call on me, at home, to organise football matches and I loved doing it.

"Hanif Ali, who was running the Hibbert Community Centre in Hallilwell, asked me if I'd ever thought of doing youth work as a job and that's where it all started.

"I was giving advice about qualifications and who I needed to see to get into youth work and the rest is history. He gave me my first job, at the Hibbert Community Centre and I will always be grateful for that.

"He saw the potential in me and he gave me the confidence I needed to do something I love.

"I had different jobs before I got into youth work and I didn't enjoy them. I had no real direction in life and I was living for weekends.

"Suddenly I was getting paid for doing something I loved. I couldn't believe it," said Charlie, who has worked in schools as a counsellor and for The Gap, counselling young people.

He started Harmony in 2001, with his partner, 39-year-old Diane Shuttleworth, and has been delighted with its success.

"It has been a wonderful success and I am very proud of it and the young people who come here.

"I hope we can go from strength to strength," he said.

l Anyone who wants to find out more about Harmony Youth Project can ring on Bolton 496161 or visit www.harmonyyouthproject.co.uk