News & Events

Moped loan scheme leads to new career

A 21 year old has been set ‘on the road’ to a new career with the help of an innovative moped loan scheme. 

Operated by Community First New Forest, the Wheels to Work scheme aims to help people aged 16 to 25 who have difficulty getting to employment, interviews or work based training, because they have poor access to public or private transport.

‘Wheels to Work’ provides the loan of a moped for up to 12 months for a small weekly hire charge.

The scheme enabled Dean to take a job in the bakery department of a supermarket several miles away from his home, working from 4am to 1pm. 

The unsociable hours meant that Dean had no chance of catching a bus and it was a 40 to 50 minute walk away. 

Dean wanted to save up to buy his own motorbike, but did not have the finance available to him at the time.

Having been accepted onto the Wheels to Work Scheme by Community First New Forest, Dean was provided with the Compulsory Basic Training essential to all moped riders. 

He was also given a helmet, gloves and high-viz waistcoat, none of which he would have been able to afford.

Able to access his new job, Dean has progressed well within the company. 

With the support of his employers, Dean is working towards a Level 2 NVQ course in bakery at University College Birmingham. 

Sue Ward, Wheels to Work Co-ordinator, explains,

“The course was attended in one week blocks and Dean went to Birmingham on the train, not the moped!” 

Dean has two more week long sessions to complete until he qualifies next May.

After 12 months support from Community First New Forest, Dean has been able to save up for his own motorbike. 

Sue says,

“Dean is very happy with his new motorbike and we are so pleased to have been able to help him get his career started and now become self-sufficient.” 

Dean would heartily recommend the scheme to others. 

He says,

 

“I was very impressed by the support I received from the trainers, garage and the Wheels to Work office at Community First New Forest.” 

Dean concluded,

“I’m sure that this career opportunity would not have happened without the help of the Wheels to Work scheme”.

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