About Us
Making A Difference
Ways To Give
Apply For A Grant
Professional Advisors
Foundation News
Campaigns |
 |
| Sign up to receive our e-newsletters! |
 |
 . |
Ace Motorcycles is a relatively new voluntary organisation set
up in February 2004. It has a management committee of 6 and is based in Tanfield
Neighbourhood Centre, Stanley. The group targets young people in the
Derwentside and Chester-le-Street areas and aims to offer young people the
opportunity to take a responsible and useful place in their community. This
is done through involving and teaching young people the skills of riding and
the mechanics of motorcycles. This well managed group works with some
of the most disadvantaged young people in the county. Many of them have been
excluded from mainstream education and some come from dysfunctional families.
They are at risk of or have already offended, many having convictions as a
result of drug or alcohol related problems. The group is based in a deprived
area with few facilities for young people. This particular group is led by
young people and therefore has motivation and commitment, encouraged by volunteers
who make the project a positive experience.
The group have recruited committed, qualified and experienced trainers and are hoping to develop a more structured approach to the activities on offer, especially since they have many referrals from youth organisations established to counter truancy and behavioural problems. After training with Ace, the young people achieve a CBT in motorcycling upon completion of the course. As they are involved in the servicing and repairs of their bikes and realise the value and effort needed to look after them, they are less likely to become involved in crime. The Chief Constable of Derwentside has put his full support behind the group.
We gave ACE a grant of £7,000 to train young people to safely ride and repair motorcycles.
The
grant provided funding to deliver a needs-led service to young people by providing
accredited training to help with personal development and better citizenship
which will hopefully guide people back on the right track. They used the grant
to provide 3 courses, each running for 10 sessions, at 2 hours per session.
The training was made available to approximately 100 young people from the
age of 14 upwards, regardless of gender, background or ability. 2 paid staff
and 10 volunteers were involved, working alongside the police and education
departments in the area.
"The grant has helped provide unique access for hard to reach young people, to get involved in activities that they would otherwise not have been able to participate in. Many thanks to the Foundation, for without whom we would not have been able to achieve our goals"
.