This is a three-year project, which provides a moped hire scheme for rural job seekers. It addresses the needs of unemployed persons living within the Broads & Rivers area who have no private transport and where the lack of public transport is a barrier to job seeking and work training. Kickstart Broads & Rivers builds on an existing pilot run by Kickstart Norfolk, offering a significant increase in capacity whilst also including a number of new and innovative elements. These are the introduction of a scheme to encourage riders to save for their own transport, the trial of a number of electric mopeds to seek environmental benefits and greater involvement of riders in the management policies of the project. Successful applicants to the scheme will:

· Be provided with a fully insured, taxed and serviced moped plus essential safety clothing

· Be assisted to complete the statutory motorbike Compulsory Basic Training

· Receive monthly appraisal and counselling to assist their long-term search for employment, including guidance about personal budgeting and longer-term self-dependence.

Mopeds will initially be provided for three months, with the option of extending to nine months for applicants with a foot on the job ladder.

Outputs

The main benefit of Kickstart Broads & Rivers is its ability to increase access to employment in rural areas. Targets are to work with 375 unemployed persons, of whom 75 are expected to start work and 36 will be able to access work related training. The project will also have associated benefits in terms of regeneration of the four market towns of Stalham, Harleston, Acle and Loddon, as each of these will act as a centre for the new project. In addition to being able to offer Kickstart as a new local service, there will be increased local expenditure through the purchase of mopeds and their maintenance. Kickstart's method of operation will also help to strengthen local communities - the support groups formed in each of the areas of operation will rely upon local volunteers providing support to the moped users. In this way, each community will be able to improve its self-sufficiency.

Funding

This is a major project for Broads & Rivers LEADER+, which has recognised the need for a high level of support for a project that delivers key economic outputs. We have offered a grant of £273,840 to cover £56,095 of capital and £244,195 of revenue costs. This represents 91% of a total project cost of £300,290. The remaining funds will be raised from fees paid by the moped riders themselves.

Contact

For further details, contact:

John Wratten  kick-admin@btconnect.com