Cardiff Council is offering young people the opportunity to gain new skills and qualifications involved in motorcycle maintenance and off road motorcross riding through the Virtual Inclusion Programme.
Foreshore MXC is a community project run by the Councils Parks and Sport Service in partnership with Sport Wales, Communities First and Countryside Council for Wales and allows young people the chance to learn about the sport of motorcross, a form of motorcycle racing held on enclosed off road circuits.
The project aims to provide a safe and controlled environment for young people to learn and develop new skills in riding and maintaining motorcycles through practical exercises and vocational training.
The Virtual Inclusion Programme (VIP) offers a learning provision to mainstream pupils who are at risk of permanent exclusion.
The project provides an accredited course which raises confidence and self-esteem and encourages participation and self-expression.
All of the activities are accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) and are carried out by experienced Auto Cycle Union Certified Instructors.
In addition to the practical learning, candidates also gain numeracy and literacy skills to help with personal and social development.
The course which has been running for three years, takes place at the purpose built Foreshore MXC Training Centre which boasts state of the art facilities including, a workshop, classroom and off road bike tracks.
The six pupils currently enrolled on the course will attend the project during school term time and each individual will have the opportunity to achieve several awards including a Youth Challenge Award, The Lord Mayors Young Achievers Award, The Young Leaders Award and a Rookies Life Saving Award.
Pupil attendance and behaviour is monitored and as the programme progresses the amount of time based in mainstream school will increase with the result being full integration back into school.
There are several projects on the Virtual Inclusion Programme where pupils can collect addition credits, these include horse care and riding, first aid and life saving, fishing and fitness.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “Foreshore MXC has been successfully delivering the Virtual Inclusion Programme providing young people with a wide and varied curriculum that is inspiring, interesting and fun.
“Pupils build good relationships and alter attitudes, making positive changes for the future having engaged in exciting and motivating activities.
“It helps to develop social and team building skills which in turn can have a positive impact on future employability and encourages long term change.
“The Foreshore MXC project continues to engage many youths in the community and help them move towards a healthy and active lifestyle.”
For more information please visit the Foreshore MXC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/foreshoremxc Alternatively call Mark Thomas on 02920 445900 / 07814 544244.
