Engineered Learning – a Derby-based engineering training provider, has successfully rolled out a training programme to teach youngsters how to fix bikes properly following a successful £8000 bid application to the Connected sustainable travel grant scheme.
The project enables young people aged 11 to 18 from deprived backgrounds to access sustainable transport through a school holiday project that teaches them to maintain and repair a donated bike of their choice, restoring it to full working order and, once passed off by a technician, take it home to use at the end of the training.
During its first week over 20 young people took part in the initiative, working with Level 2 technicians, and have successfully restored seven bikes.
Adrian Deith, Lead Tutor at Engineered Learning said: “We very much welcome the Connected business grant as it has enabled us to deliver this life skills programme and offer young people the chance to get more active and travel sustainably.
You only have to look at the faces of the young people taking part in the programme to see it means to them – Smiley faces everywhere, young people learning for their futures, making new friends and having fun at the same time. These young people are the future of Derby and the grant, along with the bikes that have been kindly donated by members of the broader Derby community are equipping those young people with life skills and mechanical know-how that they will undoubtedly use throughout their lives.
Councillor Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transportation said:
Having a bike is something that many of us probably took for granted as we were growing up so I’m delighted that we are able to support this fantastic scheme. I hope that we see many more bikes donated and many more children and young people given the opportunity to learn this valuable life skill and get themselves a safe, working bike.
The Connected grant scheme is available for businesses, and voluntary and community groups based in Derby who need some financial help to meet the cost of funding workplace or community-based travel improvements or initiatives.
If anyone has a bike that they wish to donate please call Adrian on 07950 288 070.