YOUNG people are Bolton's future. HELENA VESTY spoke to some of the determined individuals shaping our society for the better, all by the time they are 30.

Saeed Atcha has spent his youth fighting for the future of other teenagers. Growing up in care, he was told by primary school teachers that he would end up on television for the wrong reasons. He defied expectations and has just received an MBE at 22. The former Ladybridge High School pupil created Xplode Magazine, a charity helping young people to build their skills, ready for work. Mr Atcha has now gone on to create change for the rest of the country, being appointed social mobility commissioner to the government.

He said: "I'm all about getting young people access to opportunities and access to facilities.

"I started Xplode when I was 15, in the last ten years we've supported nearly 5,000 young people."

Emily Chatwin, 22, has been leading the way in Girl Guiding in Bolton for 17 years. First joining Bank Top Guides, her volunteering with fellow young women has taken her across the globe — from leading her own group while balancing her studies at university in Leeds, to helping fledgling groups in Eastern Europe.

Ms Chatwin is now in India at the Sangam World Centre for Girl Guides. Since December, she has worked diligently with local charities, ensuring that women and children do not fall into exploitation.

She said: “Everyone is very positive about making sure that women have equal rights.

“[In India], there’s still quite a long way to go. We make sure that communities are helping women to succeed and that they’re valued the same.”

Ms Chatwin added: “There’s no community that can’t be improved. I want to give young girls the opportunities I had."

Ryan Battersby became the mayor for Westhoughton at just 21 — the setting a record as the joint youngest mayor in the UK.

Presiding as mayor in 2012, he worked on celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics. Cllr Battersby used the position to raise £15,000, split between primary schools in Westhoughton and ovarian cancer charities. Now age 28, he is serving his second term as a councillor, along with his volunteer work with the Rotary Club and as a coordinator for the Poppy Appeal.

He said that his age has been a point of contention: “Older people say you don’t have the experience and don’t know what you’re talking about, but equally older people don’t always understand the views of younger people.

“For me, it was an aim of proving them wrong. I do have an opinion, I do listen. Age is no reason for you not being able to do a job.”

He encourages other young people to get involved in local politics, saying: “I feel that you can’t sit and moan abut things unless you’re willing to get involved.”

Sadie Little, 21, has used her passion for psychology to work with people suffering with their mental health. She began volunteering at an Atherton charity counselling charity, Willow Project. In just three years, she had helped to organise and deliver mental health awareness workshops to youth clubs, sports clubs and schools, as well as starting a Masters degree in clinical psychology.

She said: "I’m proud that young people in the support group feel comfortable enough to ask for one-to-one mentoring sessions with me"

"One of the best moments was when we took our support group kayaking. Most of them were apprehensive about getting in the kayaks, and in the water in general.

"We took them through it step by step and by the end of the trip they had all been in the water and in the kayaks.

"It was quite emotional watching their progress throughout the day, and watching all of them overcome a challenge and/or fear."

Hurshiv Faldu worked his way up from his parents off licence, to co-own one of the most popular nightlife spots in Bolton. Growing up in Little Lever, he learned his business nous on the job. He said: "I started at a very young age by going with my dad to Cash and Carry, buying sweets and selling them to my friends.

"Growing up in an off licence was quite tough for a kid — there's no saying no to Indian parents!"

Now, age 27, The Courthouse restaurant and bar is his biggest achievement yet, transforming a flagging Harvey's bar into an exciting venue.

Mr Faldu has just revealed a £350,000 revamp of the historic building and hopes to continue contributing to Bolton's regeneration.

Christina Cunningham, 25 from Kearsley, is dedicated to bolstering participation in sports in Bolton. A Miss England finalist and lifelong football fan, she became the first female sports science intern at Everton football club, opening the door for other women who went on to achieve the position.

Ms Cunningham channels her love of sports into organising sponsored swims and dances. She has raised £17,000 in four years for charities, including Bolton Hospice.

She is now a supply P.E. teacher at Turton High and swimming teacher. Ms Cunningham often advises other young people on how to pursue their passions, she says: "It takes time to get all the pieces together. Don't judge yourself on anyone else's timeline — as long as you're moving, you're still moving forward.