A FORMER England goalkeeper is turning her attentions away from the pitch and towards saving teenagers.

Lauren Huburn is hoping to net youth work qualifications on an apprenticeship to become a life-changing youth worker.

Lauren, of Elland, represented England under 15’s at the World Cup in 2008.

And now with the support of youth organisations Rathbone and Compass Bridge Ltd, she is hoping to help local youngsters out of boredom, unemployment and despair.

The former goalkeeper is currently inspiring 13 to 16-year-olds at Compass Bridge’s Bridgefield Mill base in Elland by lifting the barriers to their learning through activities such as outdoor pursuits.

And she’s using her own experience to help teenagers with their own problems.

Lauren said: “I never expected to be doing this. I didn’t like school and used to be one of those naughty kids who bunked-off.

“My mum was so worried about who I mixed with that we even moved from Brighouse to Elland.”

The former Huddersfield New College student still managed to score 17 GCSE passes but then flitted from one training course to the next and even spent some time flipping burgers to make ends meet.

She started her apprenticeship – which is being assessed and supported by national youth charity, Rathbone – and is racing through her qualifications.

“Apprenticeships are better and I’ve learned far more here than when I was sat behind a desk at college,” she added.

Lauren’s two ambitions are to eventually tackle a youth work degree and help kick-start lives in an area which has high youth unemployment.

“Nobody wants to give these young people a chance and I can understand how that makes them feel” Lauren added.

“People will never know how good some of these young people are until they get to know them.”

Formerly a goalie for Brighouse, Lauren hung up her boots because the game was becoming too serious – Lauren says she played football for fun.

Learn more about the apprenticeships Rathbone runs in West Yorkshire by visiting www.rathboneuk.org