Venture Trust and Cycling Scotland are working in tandem to help disadvantaged young people through the power of bicycles
A new campaign has been launched which aims to break the cycle of disadvantage through bicycles.
Venture Trust and Cycling Scotland are working in tandem to help disadvantaged young people through the power of bicycles.
A grant of £19,950 from Cycling Scotland’s Cycling Friendly Communities Development Fund (CFCDF), provided by the Scottish Government, will fund part of Venture Trust’s Change Cycle employability programme based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Many young adults referred to Venture Trust have come from life circumstances where they are not given the best start. They are often dealing with issues such as: poverty, alcohol and drug addiction, poor family relationships, mental health issues, learning and housing issues. The majority also have had little or no work experience.
The Cashback Change Cycle programme provides an informal educational and training environment focusing on hands-on learning. This type of learning is often more suited for the young people Venture Trust supports. It results in acquiring new skills along with increased confidence, motivation, ambition using the medium of cycling.
The elements of the programme include employability sessions, bike construction and maintenance including workshop experience and a short wilderness residential that has work-related tasks, and biking. Participants learn about responsibility, time management and are introduced to a Monday to Friday work schedule. They get to keep the bike they have built and use it for job hunting, accessing services, training, getting to work, and leisure.
The programme will also increase access to bikes and raise interest in cycling for a group of young people who would not normally be able to engage in the activity enjoyed and taken for granted by so many of their peers.
Venture Trust employability team coordinator Fraser Taylor said: “It’s fantastic to be supported by Cycling Scotland, the nation’s cycling organisation, to support their vision for anyone anywhere in Scotland to cycle easily and safely.
“Many of the young people we work with come from some of Scotland’s poorest areas which has reduced their access to having a bicycle of their own. The CashBack Change Cycle programme supports individuals to build and own their own bike while developing their skills and confidence to move towards sustained education, training and employment so they can have a future that has moved beyond ‘just getting by’ and poverty.”
Pete Mills, development officer for the Cycling Friendly Community programme said: “Historically, the bike has been a tool of freedom, independence and opportunity, and – through the work of the Cashback Change Cycle programme – it continues to be for many young people. We’re very happy to fund the Venture Trust to deliver their invaluable work, supporting Scotland’s vulnerable young people through more access to bikes and opportunities to cycle.”
