Helping young people get to work

Leicestershire County Council has launched a new scheme to help young people get to their place of work or training.  The ‘Wheels 2 Work’ scheme will help young people who live in rural or isolated areas by providing a scooter for up to six months or helping them to plan their journeys.
The scheme, which was launched last month, pays for all the running costs except for fuel, as well as providing training and motorcycle clothing including a helmet.
Wheels 2 Work has already been running in Melton and Rutland for three years, where it has proved to be popular. It is now being piloted in Charnwood, North-West Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth in partnership with Loughborough College, Stephenson College in Coalville and Connexions.
The pilot is running until the end of March 2010 and if successful may be extended for a longer period and potentially to other parts of the County.
Lesley Pendleton, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways and Transportation said: “Wheels 2 Work has previously helped many young people gain and sustain employment. It is aimed particularly at those living in rural areas but is available for others who work outside the normal working hours such as catering, where using the bus isn’t an option. The County Council intends to make services accessible to all its residents, in order to provide equality of opportunity. These community transport schemes aim to complement our existing public transport network to ensure that good levels of access are also secured for residents in the most rural areas.”
Rob Bindloss, from the Melton Learning Hub, is co-ordinating Wheels 2 Work  and he said: “Mopeds are being leased from the Melton Learning Hub under this pilot scheme, to provide young people with the opportunity to access employment and training. Users are provided full safety equipment and are required to complete their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) for motorcyclists before they are leased a scooter.”
For details on how to join the scheme contact Rob Bindloss on 01664 564967.
Leaflets are also available at Connexions, Loughborough College and Stephenson College and can also be downloaded from the County Council website at www.leics.gov.uk/wheels_2_work