- Local go-karting track of community programme, Right Track, has been regenerated as part of Build-it, a Big Lottery funded programme
- Young people in Lambeth received support and industry standard training in construction while working onsite
- Contractors Mears and sub-contractors Travis Perkins, Network Waste and Brewsters provided invaluable support to project
Young people from the Lambeth community have taken part in an 11-week project to regenerate a local go-karting track in Stockwell while also having the opportunity to learn skills and access training through the Build-it programme.The Right Track Project began in the early 1980s as part of local charity, Oasis Children’s Venture. As well as being given the opportunity to race on the track, local young people can access a wide variety of other activities such as individual mentoring services, AQA courses in Volunteering and Kart Maintenance, and a range of life skills workshops.Build-it’s refurbishment worktookplace across two phases, including repainting and repairing the office, the flooring and outside disability access ramp. There have also been 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, has been delighted with the changes made to the track and hopes it will attract more young people from the local area. He said:“It’s been amazing really. I cannot highlight enough how important this Build-it project will be for the track. The changes over the last few weeks will really help us bring in new customers and generate more money which we can then re-invest in the young people who come to the club. We’re hoping to do more work with schools during the week and we’ve already had some bookings and with the way the track and the facilities look now it’ll be an easier sell.“The young people who have worked on the project have really enjoyed themselves and they’ve done really well. They’ve definitely enjoyed going for a drive around the track at the end of each week too!”Build-it is a multi-partner programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund and led by London Youth in partnership with Cospa. The programme uses opportunities in construction to work with young people, some of whom may have previously been the most disengaged from education and the labour market.James Alexander, Head of Build-it who has been leading on the project, said:“Right Track does amazing work with young people from the local area and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to support another local community hub, one of 15 different projects we’ve been involved in since we launched Build-it back in March 2013.“We’ve worked with over 700 young people in the last 16 months, 33% of whom have gone onto employment and another 25% have gone into further training or education. We do a lot of outreach work and working alongside recognised community centres like Oasis and Right Track plays a massive part in ensuring that we can reach young people who are out of work or education.”Build-it has been working alongside contractor, Mears, who have supported the programme from the very beginning and donated over £35,000 of in-kind support including staff time, training and materials. Their investment has been crucial to bringing the facilities at Right Track up to date and ensuring that it continues to be a place where young people from the local community choose to go and will have a positive experience.David Jervis, Mears Asset Manager Lambeth said:"We 're delighted to extend our support of Build-it and the renovation of the Oasis go-kart track and community space which is such a valuable and safe place for local young people.“Mears is committed to supporting the local communities where we work. 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.”