Three years ago, Jonny Dubka was out on the streets, not knowing where to turn.

He was 21 years old, without a job and had nobody to support him.

He was diagnosed with mental health problems when he was 17 and was using heroin, often stealing to fund his habit.

Fast forward to 2017 and Jonny has turned his life around.

With a place of his own, he is now hoping to offer support and advice to other teenagers and young adults who find themselves in similar circumstances.

He is working with Carlisle Key, a charity which helps young people move towards independent living - and has been named its Young Person of the Year.

"When I was 17 I was diagnosed with mental health problems and went over to Newcastle to get help," he said.

"I came back to Carlisle when I was 21.

"I moved into somewhere that provided supported living, so I was with other people.

"I didn't get along with them and the landlord asked me to leave."

Jonny then spent time living in the city's John Street hostel before moving on again.

He said that at the time he was using heroin - and would turn to petty crime to fund his habit.

"I'd shoplift so I could buy drugs," he said.

"Or I'd find someone that was using and see if they could give me it for nothing.

"I'd go to court and get fined for the shoplifting but I have been to prison as well."

After spending time on the streets, Jonny then found himself back at the John Street hostel.

"One of the lads who was sleeping rough got back in, so I applied to go as well," he said.

It was during his second spell living at the hostel that he first became involved with Carlisle Key.

"People at the hostel put me in touch with them," Jonny said.

"They gave me help to find somewhere that I could live.

"They also helped me to get my housing benefit as well."

Jonny also sought help from Unity, which provides support to people misusing drugs and alcohol.

"I've been clean for seven months now," he said. "I feel much better for it. I feel a lot different and I feel like I can get on with my life."

Having been named Carlisle Key's Young Person of the Year, Jonny will attend Eden's Butterfly Ball, which is raising money for Mind, survivors of bereavement by suicide, Carlisle Key and the Great North Air Ambulance on Saturday.

"He is giving back to the local community and we wanted to praise him for this," said Clare Brockie, project manager at Carlisle Key.

Jonny said that he is looking forward to working with Carlisle Key to help others in similar situations.

"Clare goes to meetings and I'll be going with her to talk about homelessness," he said.

"I'm looking forward to speaking to other people and helping them.

"I want to work with young people and adults and I can tell them about what I've been through."