“I’m Leon, and I’m 14.

Things at home can be quite tough. My dad has been really ill for a few years now, and mum finds it hard coping with me, my little sister and looking after him. We try to help when we can, but seeing him in pain makes me upset. Sometimes I can get really angry for no reason.

I got into a bit of trouble at school because I lost my temper – no-one really understands what its like to be me and what I have to deal with.

Going to The Door really helps, the youthworkers make me feel normal, and I feel like I can talk to them – even though they don’t know exactly how I feel they understand so much about me.

When I found out they were running a trip to Weston in the summer I jumped at the chance. We weren’t going on holiday this year because of dad, so I didn’t know whether I’d see the sea again soon.

Although it was raining, I didn’t care, I was so excited. We went to the SeaLife centre in the morning, and then after lunch we had the opportunity to do their own thing in groups. Some people went to the arcade on the front, others went for a walk in the town.

I chose to go on the walking art tour around the town. The art was very cool, it was mainly street art and graffiti, my favourite was a crouching soldier. It had been painted on the side of a building near the bus station. There was other art too and I even got to meet one of the artists and her dog which was really cute!

Going home on the bus I felt so happy – I can’t remember the last time I had a day out where I could just have fun with my friends and not worry about things.

When I got home I felt a bit guilty because mum was struggling and dad was feeling really ill. But when I started to tell him about my day, he had such a big smile on his face!”

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