An innovative pilot funded by the NHS is helping 300 care leavers in Newcastle and Gateshead with free public transport.
The idea is to boost the health and wellbeing of vulnerable group of young people between the ages of 18 and 25. One such person is Stephen Creighton, 21, who found himself homeless at 16 as his mother had died and he became estranged from his father.
Stephen, from Kenton, praised the scheme which gives the youngsters free travel in Tyne and Wear through a year-long Network One pass. He added it helped with everything from attending medical appointments, to getting to work and even looking after his mental health.
