Wheels2Work North West, moped loan scheme, Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria

In Association with

Wheels 2 Work

(June 2008)

Transport Problems?

Wheels 2 Work could help you

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W2W - Evaluation out!!!

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What is Wheels 2 Work?

Wheels 2 Work is an exciting innovative scheme which has been developed to provide short term transport solutions to young people living or working in rural areas

The scheme provides the short term loan of a moped to assist people who are experiencing difficulty getting to work, training or education.

Wheels 2 Work is the only organisation providing transport-based support to young people in the North West

The reality of being just off the bus route, or being just too far from the train station is an inconvenience in most cities or large towns but in the context of the Lake District, rural Lancashire or the Cheshire countryside, this inconvenience turns into a life limiting obstacle for a young person setting out into the world of work or further education.

Access to opportunities for work, training or further education quickly recedes from being taken for granted, to an almost impossible challenge. The classic British last resort of “getting on your bike” is often not an option in rural areas and young people can find that due to lack of suitable transport, their life choices evaporate to literally those within walking distance.

In each case, Wheels 2 Work is often the difference between some choice for a young person and no choice at all. In the worst case they can be condemned to suffer social exclusion, which will not only blight their own lives, but those of their families and ultimately their communities as they are unable to achieve their full personal, social and economic potential for the future.

Rural North West

What you get!!

helmet

Safety equipment
read more >

moped

Fully taxed and insured 50cc scooter
read more >

Click to see our supporters

"I am glad to express support for Wheels 2 Work. This kind of initiative is obviously important in helping people to gain access to work. I welcome the passion that you are investing in it..."

The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister

"I am very pleased to support this innovative scheme to overcome transport problems for young people who live in rural areas. Wheels 2 Work can make a key contribution in helping people back to work which in turn helps with the regeneration of the local community. Best wishes with this excellent venture"

Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, and Minister of State for the North West

“I am pleased to support the work to improve access for young people who live in rural areas through the Wheels 2 Work scheme. I know from representing a largely rural constituency just how important transport issues can be for young people looking for work, and Wheels 2 Work is an innovative approach which has helped many young people”

Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party

George Osborne, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer - supporter of Wheels 2 Work

"In a semi rural constituency such as mine, I can clearly see the benefits of this scheme to help young people travel to work. So often people write to me complaining about the lack and cost of local transport and Wheels 2 Work will help to fill that gap in a safe, efficient and green way. I am proud to support this scheme"

George Osborne MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

"The scheme is both visionary and very helpful, providing practical help, and I warmly welcome this initiative"

Sir Nicholas Winterton MP

"Clearly if we are to encourage more young people back into work, they will need to be able to get there. Wheels 2 Work is clearly doing very valuable work in helping this to happen, particularly in areas where other transport options are often not available"

Chris Grayling MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

"I know that the Wheels 2 Work scheme introduces young people to mobility in a responsible way and look forward to it becoming more widespread and being able to give more young people the opportunity to access this much needed mobility"

Robert Goodwill MP

'This is an innovative and imaginative way of overcoming the transport problems that can be a major barrier for people to get into work.'

Christian Wolmer, Britain's leading Transport Journalist

"Over the last year, Wheels 2 Work has helped nearly 200 young people, across the North West, to access work, training or education in circumstances where they otherwise would not have had the opportunity. The difference this makes to a young person is immense and its advantages stay with them, their families and their communities for years to come." Sian Rees, Chief Executive of Connexions Cumbria

"What a good project, mobility is an important part of everyday life and the access to all forms of transport is particularly important in rural areas"

Brian Simpson MEP

"...the schemes provide a number of benefits for clients from rural communities. Put simply they can provide access to opportunities that they would not otherwise have" Steer Davis Gleave independent evaluation for the Commissions for Rural Communities. 2005

Lord Cameron - supporter of Wheels 2 Work

"These bike schemes cost about half the jobseeker's allowance and represent a major saving to the taxpayer. There should be a national scheme, covering all of the UK. But failing that, England should have a series of regional schemes in each and every region, and I am so glad that the North West Development Agency is leading the way and acting as a beacon in this respect."

Lord Cameron of Dillington

"I think this is a brilliant idea that I hope will spread to many other local authority areas in the North West"

Andrew Miller MP

" To be able to help young people to start work in the rural economy is essential if we are to maintain the rural skills base. I am impressed by how Wheels 2 Work can help to overcome transport difficulties that can create a barrier for young people accepting a job in rural areas. The project has my wholehearted support"

Lord Clark of Windermere, Chairman, Forestry Commission

“It is often difficult for people, particularly young people, who live in remote rural areas to get to work, and ‘Wheels 2 Work’ is a fantastic idea that helps to give young people in rural areas equal life chances.”

Tim Farron MP

"I support this imaginative scheme, which provides young people living in rural areas with a means of accessing education, employment and training. The loan of a moped for 6 months must have made a real difference to the life chances of many young people."

Mike Hall MP

" I would encourage any young person struggling to access education or work in the Northwest to take a look" Peter White, Executive Director of Development at the NWDA

"Wheels 2 Work has been really helpful in getting young people into work, education and training and giving them a sense of social responsibility"

Melanie Hart, NWDA

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