Group: Aylesbury Youth Motor Project
Project: Running costs
Grant: £5,000
Fund: Donor advised
Aylesbury Youth Motor Project is a motor vehicle training centre and workshop that exists to a support range of young people and adults who may be experiencing difficulties in the more traditional educational setting. They achieve this by offering a learning experience that is practical and hands-on. This setting allows them to learn the vocational skills, ethics and softer skills which are all transferrable into the world of work.
A grant from Heart of Bucks enabled Aylesbury Youth Motor Project to stay in their current location and cover the costs of doing so for at least the next 3 years. This has been a vital lifeline for the group, securing their premises, and allowing them to continue to deliver their work.
Additionally, the group have now become an outsource provider for Buckinghamshire Council, meaning they now offer vulnerable young people the opportunity to learn a trade and gain a qualification. This has seen an increase in their student numbers. As such, the group plan to find larger premises in the near future.
During the funded period, the group took part in the TV series Wheeler Dealers, where the students got to participate in the rebuild of a Classic Mini. The series is currently on air on the Discovery Channel. This was great exposure for the group and a huge experience for the students.
Case study
K came to Aylesbury Youth Motor Project early 2021, at 14 years old. K was a very quiet student who struggled to engage and keep eye contact, he showed difficulties with social interaction and communication, and needed support to carry out tasks within the workshop. K found it hard to follow a structured lesson plan and carry out any work unassisted. K found it very hard to mix and build friendships. K was unable to process information in a written format and was more able verbally. K became very anxious when put on the spot and felt very uncomfortable in a group setting. K would not eat or drink around people he did not feel sure of, this had caused an issue for him and he had previously fainted.
Despite this, K become a great asset to the team due to his eagerness and attitude to learning. K eventually made friends, ate meals and held face to face conversations.
K worked hard for his Entry Level certificate and Aylesbury Youth Motor Project were able to secure him a permanent position at a Classic Car Restoration garage.
Read more of our funding stories here.
