Many needy people who come to the Food Bank, the Open Door Centre or other groups have had a bad start in life.

An MP at New Year said that struggling children in his area are "products of crap parents". Everyone got cross with him, but there is an underlying truth. First, Thomas Crapper produced quality flush toilets around 1861, so we should think well of him, not use his name in a derogatory manner! Too many children do grow up in poor situations or in Council care, while others in more wealthy families also lack parental leadership. At formative points in young people's lives, the lack of a guiding light, role model or caring adult can cause them to seek comfort in bad company, alcohol or drugs.

Schools provide education, but with limited ability for the mentoring that many kids need. It is normal in growing up to challenge ideas and be somewhat rebellious. I remember a wildlife programme with small bear cubs fighting each other and tussling their parent, until a huge brown paw re-asserted order! It is part of normal life, but does require the proximity of parents, relatives, teachers or others to be a beacon of positive behaviour, hope and trust. Meanwhile, dark forces and organised crime try to profit with drugs and gang culture.

Our industrial world effectively forces both parents to work, whether basic economics to keep a poorer family afloat or social pressures for the affluent to have a profession. This becomes a problem when the next generation has "struggling children". A relative of mine, growing up in a wealthy background, got into drugs because they were affordable, and is now dislocated from reality and has been "sectioned" twice!

Youth clubs, sports clubs, choirs and many other activities support young people. A generation ago, these would have been church activities, well supported but not generally open to all. My car radio in the 90's picked up songs by Cantamus, a choir started in 1968 by Pamela Cook in Mansfield, Notts, with the main intention of providing an activity for local girls up to 18 years old for which she was later given an MBE. Youth clubs and sports clubs are more common, but bringing young people into any activity with guidance and sensible trustworthy peer pressure is positive.

Diversity helps. Whether sports, singing, dramatics or something else, it brings together youngsters from all sorts of different jobs, skills and backgrounds which broaden experience. My own sport was rowing. Crews included a big variety of backgrounds which made for wide ranging discussions in the clubhouse!

Volunteering is in the news. The New Year honours included many different endeavours. Every group leader is looking for more volunteers, every volunteer could use a bit of extra help in 101 activities! It is not all fun, just as training and practising are necessary in sport and music, some work and effort are always needed. The enjoyment comes from the result.

There are many small and easy roles that provide support to needy youngsters. Fostering or adoption are the ultimate gifts, but those need a very special vocation!

The benefit is the satisfaction of helping young people transition from being children into adults, especially those who need to build their confidence. Every child has a skill, the trick is to find out what it is, the joy is to watch it develop!