VULNERABLE teenagers are set to benefit from an important new service promising to turn their lives around.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s South West launched its new £180,000 mobile classroom at Berkeley Castle last week.

‘Revolutions’ is a mobile classroom and workshop contained within a pair of specially-adapted lorries.

Project workers will visit local schools, colleges, youth clubs and other venues to offer motor mechanics courses to young people who are at risk of dropping out of education.

Depending on demand, the service could eventually be offered across the entire region.

Revolutions was officially launched at Berkeley Castle by Dr David Barnardo OBE – the great-great-nephew of the charity’s founder – and rally champion and TV presenter Penny Mallory. After cutting the ribbon they paid tribute to those people who leave legacies in their wills to charity because the Revolutions service was set up thanks to a share of £250,000 left to Barnardo’s by a single donor. Barnardo’s South West assistant director Michael Hammond, said the project was aimed at ‘re-engaging young people who have been hit by the recession’ and was targeted at those young people who were not in education, employment or training (NEETs). It is estimated there are 11,000 such 16-18-year-olds in the South West.

Mr Hammond said: "We know that lasting changes won’t be achieved simply by offering a new course. It’s the additional wraparound support that will make the world of difference.

"We will offer something they never had before – the hope of a brighter future."

The classroom can cater for up to 10 pupils at a time and includes desks, laptops and interactive white boards, while the workshop has work benches and tools all with wheelchair access.

Ms Mallory, a national ladies champion rally driver, said: "I was a tearaway when I was younger and left home when I was just 14 years old. I made one bad decision after another and ended up in hostels.

"So this project strikes a chord for me as it gives young people the support and encouragement that they so desperately lack in other areas of their lives.

"Everyone taking part should be really proud of what they’ve achieved."