- Local go-karting track to be regenerated as part of six week project through Big Lottery funded Build-it programme
- Local young people will receive support and industry standard training in construction while working onsite
- Contractors Mears and sub-contractors Travis Perkins, Network Waste and Brewsters to provide invaluable support to project
A six week regeneration project on a local go-karting track in Stockwell began on Monday 19 May 2014. Young people from Lambeth will have the opportunity to learn skills and access training through the Build-it programme.The Right Track Project began in the early 1980s as a part of the Oasis Children’s Venture charity and, alongside the opportunity to race on the track, they offer a wide variety of activities to local young people including individual mentoring services, AQA courses in Volunteering and Kart Maintenance and a range of life skills workshops to help challenge perceptions on issues from sexual health, drug awareness and other perceived issues facing young people in Lambeth.Build-it is a multi-partner programme led by London Youth in partnership with Cospa which gives young people in the London Borough of Lambeth the chance to learn skills and access training, work experience and real employment opportunities within the regeneration of their local communities.Build-it will be working alongside contractors Mears, whom have donated more than £10,000 of in-kind support to the programme including staff time, training and materials to bring the facilities at the Right Track up to date and ensure that it continues to be a place where young people from the local community choose to go.Travis Perkins, Network Waste and Brewsters waste management have also contributed to this project.The work will take place across two phases and will include repainting and repairing the office, including the flooring and outside disabled ramp. There will also be improvements to the track including fixing pot holes and bringing a new layout to the track as a whole.Jean-Pierre Moore, Right Track Manager, knows that these improvements are much needed and is delighted that Build-it has started work at the track. He said:“I cannot highlight enough how important this Build-it project will be for the track. We are incredibly well attended with a high volume of young people from across Lambeth and London passing through our gates each year. It would really reflect the track’s position within the community if it looked the way that it feels to so many young people. “We offer opportunities to play, learn and socialise in a safe and secure way in an area where there are not many opportunities for young people. We also find that young people use us as a safety net as they know that they can speak with the staff about issues at home or in their personal life and get support if necessary.“It has had little if any structural development since the 1990s and it has managed to survive; however the young people who use the project every day and put all their efforts into maintaining the karts and providing support to the other young service users really deserve a project that has been invested in as much as they do every day.”James Alexander, Head of Build-it, is looking forward to continuing the programmes work with young people from the local community while also aiding in the regeneration of a popular community hub.“We’re really excited to be starting at the Right Track Project as it gives us another opportunity to work with young people from the local community and also support the great work the team there have been doing for a number of years. We’d like to thank Mears who have been a fantastic supporter of Build-it since we launched and it’s great that they are providing so much support with this project.Build-it has been going for just over a year now and has already worked with over 500 young people in Lambeth with over a third going into full-time employment or an apprenticeship and another third going back into education or further training. We’re delighted with the success we’ve had but know that more needs to be done and we know that this project will give us another great opportunity to support and challenge young people to be the best they can be.” David Jervis, Mears Asset Manager Lambeth said: "We are delighted to be able to offer our help to Build-it in their renovation of the Oasis Right Track Project go-kart track and community space. We were particularly interested in supporting Oasis as they provide a safe place for young people to mix and engage with each other. Mears is committed to supporting the local communities where we work. Our mentoring scheme in Lambeth is a great first step for young people looking to gain new skills and experience of the work place.Creating a legacy is what Mears cores values are founded upon; this gives us a real sense of pride and achievement and maintains a solid community presence within the Lambeth area.”Mark Garwood, Sales Director, Network Waste said: “Network Waste are delighted to be part of such a worthwhile community project. In partnership with The Mears Group PLC we understand the importance of supporting local community based projects that provide, in this case, the younger generation of Stockwell with a facility that will benefit the community as a whole.”