Wheels to Work Scheme Gives Young Workers A Lift in Hampshire

A young apprentice’s career has lift-off thanks to the loan of a moped to help him get to work.

Scott Redmond, a management apprentice at the Golden Glider Café at Lasham Airfield, had been struggling to get to work but can now keep his job thanks to the vehicle loaned from the Wheels to Work scheme.

The 16-year-old is using one of 10 such mopeds available to hire in the East Hampshire area to help people with limited access to transport links get to work.

The Wheels to Work scheme, operated by Community First New Forest and funded by East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, Test Valley Borough Council and New Forest District Council, has been available across East Hampshire since 2009 and enables people to get to job interviews, vocational training or get to their job.

Scott said: “Wheels to Work has been great as it has allowed me to get to work a lot easier and not rely on my parents for lifts.

“It has allowed me to continue with my apprenticeship which I wouldn’t have been able to do because there are limited public transport links in the Lasham area.”

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds recently met Scott to learn more about the project, he said: “I think the Wheels to Work scheme is a really positive thing, especially here in East Hampshire and areas like ours where it is quite rural and can sometimes be difficult to get to work.

 “I would encourage people who live in the area who are looking to get a job or apprenticeship and are worried about how they are going to get to it to get involved in the scheme.”

 Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “Wheels to Work can make a huge difference to people finding a job or apprenticeship, or getting to training or interviews.

 “I’m delighted Hampshire County Council is able to support this in East Hampshire as well as other rural areas of in the county such as the New Forest, Test Valley and around Winchester.”

The scheme helps people with limited access to public or private transport by loaning them a moped at a nominal weekly charge.

 For £17 to £20 a week, depending on the age and type of moped, users of the scheme can hire a moped which is fully taxed and insured, with full breakdown and service cover. Hirers will also be provided with safety equipment such as a helmet, gloves and a protective ‘armour’ jacket. Compulsory basic training is also covered in the cost.

 The mopeds can be loaned for three to 12 months by anyone aged 16 and above. The average loan period is five months and the scheme makes sure there are continued transport arrangements in place once the loan period has ended.

 Councillor Julie Butler, EHDC’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Customer Relations, said: “The Wheels to Work scheme is a lifeline to a lot of people who don't have access to community transport.

 “It's the first step on the ladder to help them get into employment and we are delighted to be able to offer it in East Hampshire”

 If you are interested in hiring a moped, or would like more information about the scheme, visit: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/wheels-to-work.

Image: East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds (far left) and Councillor Rob Humby (far right), Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, meet Scott Redmond (centre), an apprentice at the Golden Glider Café at Lasham Airfield, to learn more about how the Wheels to Work scheme has helped him.