Re-cycling’ rolls into training and employment opportunities
Date submitted: 2 March 2010
The course will be delivered by Merseyside charity and social enterprise, CREATE, which specialises in training for disadvantaged adults from a variety of backgrounds, from adults with mild physical, sensory, or learning disabilities to ex-offenders, ex-substance misusers and other long term unemployed adults. Course participants, will receive accredited qualifications in bicycle repair and maintenance, which will help improve their access to employment opportunities.
The project forms part of MTP’s accessibility programme ‘Let’s Get Moving’, which aims to promote social inclusion by overcoming transport barriers that impact on peoples’ ability to access jobs, training, education, health and employment services.
Councillor Jean Quinn, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services, Wirral Council, welcomed the new initiative. She said, “This scheme has benefits for a cross section of the community on a number of different levels. As well as offering new skills and training opportunities to the long-term unemployed, the recycled bicycles will provide a great introduction to cycling to families and commuters as an affordable, enjoyable form of exercise and outdoor activity.”
Carol Johnson-Eyre, TravelWise Co-Ordinator, added: “One of the key aims of the Merseyside Transport Partnership is to provide a well connected, safe transport network that is accessible to all.
“Supporting this pilot project enables us to provide some practical support that will improve participants’ ability to access jobs, training, education, health and employment, as well as increasing cycling in the area. Increasing access to good quality bikes will also help improve health and wellbeing through higher levels of physical activity.”For further information on CREATE and the six-month training course in bike maintenance and repairs or to find out how to purchase a recycled bike, contact Andy Reade on 0151 448 1748.
In addition, TravelWise is offering free cycle skills training and basic bike maintenance sessions to everyone in Merseyside until the end of March 2010. To find out more and to book a place, call Amy at Cycling Solutions on 0151 707 3936 or visit www.cyclingsolutions.co.uk - quoting "TravelWise Offer" when registering.
For further information on the Let’s Get Moving scheme, visit www.letsgetmovingmerseyside.org.
Ends
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Linda Nuttall, Staniforth, 0161 919 8027, Linda.Nuttall@Staniforth.co.uk
Jenny Mason, Staniforth, 0161 919 8035, Jennifer.Mason@Staniforth.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
- Merseyside’s five-year Local Transport Plan (LTP) runs until 2011 and is a £230m delivery programme of transport investment and service improvements.
- It aims to give Merseyside a safer, sustainable, efficient and integrated transport network, accessible to all.
- Merseyside Transport Partnership consists of Merseytravel and the five local authorities of Merseyside – Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral.
- Merseyside Transport Partnership and Halton Borough Council were awarded Beacon Status in March 2008 for their joint pioneering work on promoting accessibility in local communities.
- TravelWise is Merseyside Transport Partnership’s campaign to help people in Merseyside to make smarter travel choices – to walk, cycle and use public transport. Visit www.LetsTravelWise.org for more information.
