Salford charity Foundation 92 has converted a bus into a mobile hub which will visit different areas in the community to engage with young people.
The mobile hub is part of Foundation 92’s youth programme and aims to tackle anti-social behaviour in Manchester/ Salford six nights a week.
The converted bus features a string of activities for the youngsters to engage with, including air hockey, PlayStation and VR headsets, while Foundation 92 representatives are on hand to engage with visitors to the hub.
With just one trained bus driver previously, Foundation 92 was keen to add another driver to help with the campaign.
The charity’s Youth Programme Coordinator Holleeann Walker stepped up to the plate to secure her licence after leading training provider Realise carried out the tuition free of charge.
Realise delivers the Route to Success scheme which is a free training programme that takes people in Greater Manchester with no bus driving experience and equips them with the skills to become professional drivers.
Holleeann said: “I have always expressed an interest in transport. When visiting the various locations across Manchester and delivering our community sessions, I’d often get talking to bus drivers about training, so when the opportunity came up to get my licence I jumped at the chance.
“It’s going to make a big difference to our youth outreach programme and will give us a greater chance of being out in the community six nights a week.”
A total of 112 learners have either completed or are currently going through the programme – which takes a maximum of 16 weeks to complete – and are taking their first steps towards a new career.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Authority has now given the green light for a further 60 learners to be trained in an extension to the scheme.
The course, which is hosted at the Realise Training Hub based at Rochdale Football Club’s Crown Oil Arena, is open to any individual aged over 19 and with a full UK driving licence.
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