A new moped loan scheme is proving its worth for Nantwich resident Darren Rivers.
Darren spent two hours a day walking to and from work before he getting help with a moped.
The scheme was launched before Christmas as part of the All Change for Crewe/Smarter Ways to Travel programme run by Cheshire East Council.
It provides a temporary loan of a moped to help people travel to work, training or learning in and around Crewe and Nantwich.
“The Wheels to Work (W2W) scheme has helped me massively to get around for work and it has been great for my confidence as well,” said Darren.
“It has been great for my home life as well meaning that I can spend more time with my family, especially my children.”
The W2W Crewe scheme is managed by Inspira, a career guidance social enterprise based in Cumbria.
“The scheme is aimed at people who do not have easy access to public or private transport,” says Malcolm Webster, Wheels 2 Work project worker for Inspira.
“To be eligible people need to be 16 years old or over and travelling to a job, training, apprenticeship, other studies in or around Crewe or the offer of any of these where travel is a barrier to them accepting work or training.
“The effect of the scheme can be life changing and I recommend anyone who fits the criteria to get in touch.”
Currently there are five mopeds available in the area, and this could increase in to 18 during 2014.
People can obtain more information or be referred through their local Jobcentre Plus, South Cheshire College for students, online www.allchangeforcrewe.co.uk/wheels2work, or by calling Malcolm direct on 07812224481.
(Pic: Darren Rivers and Inspira’s Julia Mullarkey)
I live in Chester and am wondering if Cheshire west have a similar program as I have always had my own motorcycle to get around on but unfortunately my last one had to be scrapped as it was too costly to fix so I would love to be able to get something like this to help me with traveling to my voluntary work placement many thanks