Mum and daughter Kat and Kaitlyn have had a tough time over the past few years but are now looking forward to the school prom. Nineteen-year-old James is the oldest of seven children, has no job and no GCSEs - and having been identified as a high risk potential offender, he is receiving guidance to help keep him on the straight and narrow. Dylan dreams of being a professional musician to raise enough money to bring his younger brother out of foster care to live with him in Redcar.
James is being mentored by local businessman Ray to help keep him out of trouble. When Ray discovers James has been arrested for a crime he’s adamant he didn’t commit and could ruin his chances of starting a new life, everyone is hoping James gets the verdict he needs. Sixteen year-old Kaitlyn has a big few days ahead of her: she’s about to get her GCSE results but what’s making it difficult is the prospect of her and her mum, Kat, having to move house again. Safy is 15 and has been identified as one England’s rising netball talents, and her local club is trying to get her a scholarship at a leading private school which focuses on netball. It’s a massive chance for Safy but her mum, Aicha, knows that if Safy gets this chance it’s going to put huge pressure on the rest of the family.
Safy (pictured) has been given a 90 percent scholarship at a top private school in York, the largest scholarship she can get, and could soon be on her way to play for England. But even finding the last 10 percent of fees is going to be hard for single mum Aicha, who is already struggling to provide for Safy’s younger brother and sisters. Jess, an apprentice at a local mechanics, has reached the highest level and now the apprenticeship is drawing to a close. But she’s been told she can’t be kept on at the garage as her wages will have to increase to minimum wage, which her boss John, can’t afford to pay her. Bean and Tom are best mates who are working out whether life in Redcar is for them. When an exciting job offer abroad comes their way they have some tough choices to make. Donny, a 23 year-old plasterer, is being mentored by Steven, a millionaire businessman who, having made it, wants to see other people in Redcar prosper. With a baby on the way Donny’s main aim in life is to get his father, who has been living in Bradford for the last eight years, to move back Redcar so they can be a family again.
