Kidderminster Shuttle Tuesday 24th November 2009

SEVERAL years of partnership have paid off in a project to cut vehicle crime and reduce anti-social behaviour.

KC motov8 brought together Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, Kidderminster College and Worcester-based motov8.

Delivering courses in motor vehicle studies and Motor Sport, the project’s aim is to work with hard-to-reach young people.

Based on a successful youth facility in deprived parts of Worcester, KC motov8 is a new youth facility for young people in the Wyre Forest, offering the opportunity to develop both personal and social development skills, with hands-on learning, to channel youths' interests in motor vehicles into effective learning around mechanics, fabrication and motor sport.

One of KC motov8’s first Enterprise2Employment students, Luke Sparrey, 17, said: "motov8 is a great course for anyone who wants to go into mechanics, like me. We're all really enjoying our time here."

Rev Mark Badger, managing director at KC motov8, said: "It's great to see this long-awaited project come into fruition.

Working closely with Kidderminster College and other community agencies, we hope KC motov8 will help to improve the health, well-being and life chances of those students who join our programmes.

At the same time, we hope to improve community safety and promote community cohesion. You never know, the students here might one day have their F1 caps on, working alongside Ferrari."

Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor, added: "I'm delighted that this project is up and running in Kidderminster, for it presents excellent opportunities for youngsters wishing to fulfil their ambitions in motor mechanics."

Pictured are: Left, from left, Helen Dyke, Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, councillor Fran Oborski. Back, Andrew Miller, Kidderminster College principal, Rev Mark Badger, Rev Owen Bell, Dr Richard Taylor. Right, tutor, Chris Lewis, with e2e students on the kcmotov8 project, Kidderminster College.