OUT OF work, homeless and struggling with depression, Chelsea Boyce felt her life was never going to get better.

“I was 20, stuck on universal credit, nowhere to call my own home, and I thought – I’m so young, and it’s over,” she says, softly. “I’m never going to get anywhere. Everything had fallen apart.”

Fast forward nine months and life has turned a corner, thanks to an employability scheme which she says got her “back on track.”

CashBack Connections, managed by leading social enterprise the Wise Group, helps young people into work by providing them with a dedicated support network and expert advice.

“It just felt right,” she says. “The trainers were kind, and down to earth, and everyone was so helpful. It gave me purpose.”

Chelsea grew up on Glasgow’s South Side but a falling out with her mum when she was 17 changed everything.

“I had just started sixth year at school, but there had been lots of arguments at home, and I had to leave,” she recalls.

“It was hard for me. I was struggling at school and hadn’t done very well in my fifth year exams, so I went back to try and get more qualifications.

“When my mum and I fell out I left, to live with my partner Vivien.”

Chelsea adds: “But that was in the east end, and my school was on the south side, and I couldn’t afford the travel costs. So I left school and tried to get a job.”

Chelsea found a zero-hours contract with a kiosk in a football stadium.

“It was really difficult – you never really knew when you’d be needed or how much work there would be,” she says. “I worked for five hours and got paid £5.60 an hour and I thought that was a fortune.”

A job in a call centre didn’t work out, as Chelsea was struggling with depression and low self-esteem. She was prescribed anti-depressants.

“I felt like I was doing my best but getting nowhere,” she says. “I tried living with my dad for a while too, but nowhere felt like home and I was always moving around. I felt lost, I didn’t know what to do.”

The Cashback Connections course, which is funded by CashBack for Communities, the Scottish Government’s proceeds of crime fund works with young people not in education, employment or training.

It was a lifesaver, says Chelsea.

“I heard about it through the Job Centre, and it was fantastic,” she says. “I attended a customer service academy at the Wise Group’s Glasgow office.

“The people were great and now, almost nine months later, we all stay in touch and meet up regularly. As well as learning new skills I’ve made some great friends.”

Chelsea and Vivien now have their own flat in Kilbirnie in Ayrshire – although they are hoping to move back to Glasgow eventually – and Chelsea is working in the HR department of a Paisley -based national charity.

“I'm loving it so much,” she smiles. “The support I received and the skills I gained from the CashBack Connections team were the main factors in getting this job.

“It was just so great to work with people who cared about me, who wanted to help me get back on track with my life. My mum and I are closer again too – my grandad died recently, and my mum was very close to him so I wanted to help her. That made us put everything else behind us.

“The course was what got me back on my feet and I'm so thankful for everything they have done for me.”

Chief Executive of the Wise Group, Sean Duffy, said: “The Wise Group helps people to transform their lives, whether that’s building someone’s confidence to go for a job, providing vital energy advice to vulnerable customers or supporting people as they leave prison.

“To see Chelsea believing in herself, forming strong friendships and living independently in her own flat is what the Wise Group is all about. I wish her all the very best.”

Chelsea adds: “I feel very lucky to have turned my life around in four years – many people are not so fortunate. There is a lot of pressure on our generation. If you are not doing well in school, at 16 or 17, you start to worry that all there is out there for you is universal credit, or zero hours contracts.

“You get a job, but can you afford the transport to get there?

“I feel like I had to grow up very quickly.”

She smiles; “I enjoy my life now and I feel stronger. These are the best years of my life – the bad stuff is gone, and I can concentrate on the good stuff now. I feel like I can finally look to the future.”