The 2007 Prince Michael Award, First Gear Organiser and On Two Wheels Organiser Award Winners Announced!
Young Cumbria receiving the Liam Dyker (centre) who took the On
First Gear Award Two Wheels Programme with
Suffolk Youth and Connections
On Tuesday 20th November 2007, at the Royal Automobile Club in London, UK Youth network member Young Cumbria was presented with the Prince Michael Award to the First Gear Organiser of the Year by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO. The award, a hand-made, gold plated 1/32 scale replica of the 20/25 Rolls Royce ‘Rosinante’, was presented in recognition of Young Cumbria’s effective promotion and delivery of the First Gear programme across Cumbria, as well as development work undertaken to meet the specific needs of the county.
First Gear is a pre-learner driver training programme for young people which aims to encourage positive attitudes towards the car and its use. The programme was initiated by UK Youth, and Young Cumbria developed the programme throughout Cumbria in response to the high number of road incidents involving young drivers. Over the last year, Young Cumbria has delivered 15 First Gear courses, reaching 158 young people from across the county. Courses have been targeted at a range of groups, and delivered in partnership with organisations including the Fire Service, Police, Road Safety Officers, Connexions and other voluntary youth organisations. Many of the young people attending these courses achieve an accredited outcome in recognition of their learning and development.
Suffolk Youth and Connexions were pleased to be awarded the On Two Wheels organiser of the year award for their work with young people in Suffolk. The On Two Wheels programme is a pre-leaner training programme for motorbikes.
Suffolk Youth and Connexions has offered On Two Wheels as part of an alternative curriculum menu for excluded young people and those at risk of exclusion from local PRU’s, High Schools and their leaving care project Moving On.
This year “On Two Wheels” was delivered In January at the request of Kirkley High School, in April as part of the Pupil Referral Units alternative provision and the previous autumn as part of a Moving On activity. Young people who have completed the course are informed about Kickstart, ( a motor cycle loan project run by Suffolk Acre) which enables them to go on to use the training they have received to access a loan bike for college or further education. Anglia Rider Training a motor cycle training company from Lowestoft have supported the project from the start offering not only their expertise but subsidised CRB for young people who have undertaken the course.
And last but certainly not least Lord Montagu of Beaulieu was awarded the Prince Michael Award for his continued and much appreciated support of UK Youth and the First Gear and On Two Wheels Programmes. In particular enabling UK Youth to use the grounds of the Beaulieu Motor Museum to hold educational and fundraising events.
