Darren Haynes
- Motoring to success
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I've lived in
St. Ann's all my life and, at 16, I was getting involved with the
wrong people and getting involved in illegal activities.
By 17 I was a local "gang" leader and was involved in a
lot of things I shouldn't have been.
When Brake Away started I was interested in
what it was about.
I went down and particularly liked the go karting and I went frequently.
I formed my own karting team and we maintained and looked after our
own kart.
There was a "points" system and young people could earn
points for their team by doing voluntary work, for example, working
on other karts.
The points were used as pounds to support my own team and improve
our kart.
My team worked hard and we earned the most points of any team.
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| The Brake
Away Motor Project |
Eventually I started
doing voluntary work with the project without requiring points. I
was enjoying it. I learnt fast and the Project Mechanic was very pleased
with me.
After a while, Steve, the manager of the project, managed to get me
part time pay on casual labour because he said I had become "essential"
to the project.
I was still volunteering my time as well so I was at the project all
the time.
Steve put my name forward to the Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards
and I was awarded a 'highly commended' by Mr Paul Boateng MP, Minister
of State and Sir Michael Angus, Chairman, Whitbread PLC.
At a similar time I was awarded the Service Section, Silver Level
and the Skills Section, Silver Level, Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
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| The Brake
Away Motor Project |
Steve managed to
get me full time pay at the unqualified rate and I became the project's
Assistant Project Mechanic.
I then got on the Youth Workers' Course and, after nine months and
a lot of work, I was awarded my Youth Worker's qualification.
Not so long ago the Project Mechanic left and I was promoted to that
position. Steve says I am really good for the project and the young
people that attend it.
Darren Haynes
Project Mechanic
| The
Brake Away Motor Project - details |
Run
and funded by Nottingham City Council, Leisure and Community
Services and the young people who are its clients, the project
is a combination of training centre, leisure provision, ie:
go karting, and youth work provider.
Our aim is the personal development of disadvantaged and disaffected
young people, aged 13 to 19 who live in the Nottingham City
area, by giving respect and encouraging young people to learn
through enjoyment.
As well as go karting and associated exciting activities, we
also provide training in basic motor car repair and maintenance,
body and paintwork and welding. Youngsters are referred to us
by many local groups and organisations, including schools, colleges
and youth groups.
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Contact:
Telephone/Fax: |
Steve
Taylor
49 Hungerhill Road
Nottingham
NG3 3PN
0115 941 1211 |
If your community
group has a similar success story and would like to appear in on our
website then please email the details to nottingham@bbc.co.uk
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