Business award winner 2007

Motorvate has won the 2007 ‘Investing in Young people Award‘ run by the Coventry Evening Telegraph and the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Our course, aimed at youngsters from the age of 13 and uses their interest in cars and motorbikes to develop numeracy and social skills. So far we have helped over 3000 teenagers, including those who lack motivation and who may be close to exclusion from school.
Many candidates on our course proudly testify that the course has helped to give their lives a boost.

As well as teaching safe-driving practices it imparts a knowledge of the impact crime can have on victims.

Motorvate was also a finalist for the award in 2006

The Motorvate scheme was very well received by the EU receiving support and positive feedback from all areas, including the director of EU funding himself. This success has already led to interest in Europe and Motorvate will be leading any future expansion of the project in the EU.

Some 22 drivers aged 16 and upwards, completed practical and theory-based sessions on safe driving, basic car maintenance and road safety.

The course, run by Connexions and Motorvate UK, took place at Hearsall Common in Earlsdon – and has helped some of the group rip up their L-plates.

The sessions aimed to develop the drivers’ confidence and skills, and enable them to go on and take the official driving lessons and test, which five people have since passed.

Phyl Painter, from Connexions said: “The drivers have done really well and it is fantastic that the course has led to several people going on to pass driving test. The course is very worthwhile for people who need extra help learning to drive, which is a big accomplishment for anyone and very happy to be involved with it.”

Motorvate UK began the courses last year for deaf and hearing-impaired people, as well as those with special needs and also offers basic courses in subjects including first aid, mechanics and motorbikes.

Phil Moodie, director of Motorvate UK, said: “Driving is a skill for life which, as people learn, can involve a few blows to their confidence, but this can affect whether people with disabilities continue to learn.”

“The course builds up the confidence of the drivers through giving them practical experience as well as teach them basic theory and can keep them on track for becoming safe drivers in the future.”

Published in the Coventry Evening Telegraph, 1 December 2006

Mr Moodie used to organise and run motor vehicle courses but wanted to work more with young people. Three years ago he launched Motorvate UK, a contender for the Coventry & Warwickshire Connexions and the Education Business Consortium-sponsored Evening Telegraph Investing in Young People award.

Motorvate, based in Upper Spon Street in the city centre, specialises in structured motor vehicle educational training courses. They can run anywhere in the country over a number of weeks, and pupils get a nationally-recognised certificate of education in motor vehicle and road user studies.

Mr Moodie said: “We believe we can use cars to bring in different areas of education and help young people develop life skills.”

“We start off by using more of a graphic representation of numeracy and literacy skills to get the young people interested. And we are improving their social skills as well because they have to work together in groups.” Besides going into schools to talk to youngsters who may be on the point of exclusion, Motorvate UK offers courses which can be custom made for the organisation involved, be it a police force, the fire service or the Youth Offending Service.

They cover, among other things, the motor industry, communication and relationship, numeric and literacy development, driving theory and road safety, practical driving, knowledge of the law and the. impact of crime. Many of the courses are run at Gaydon Motor Heritage Museum, Coventry Transport Museum and Hereward College, where students have physical and behavioural special needs. Mr Moodie said: “We have had people on the courses who have been involved in car crime and afterwards have said they won’t do it again. “We can only hope that they keep their word. “What we do know is that in areas where we have’ run courses, the amount of car crime and number of accidents involving young drivers has decreased.”

Mr Moodie was also delighted that the Heart of England organisation has just awarded his firm a £10,000 grant, with money from the European Social Fund, to help it conduct courses with people who are deaf or of partially hearing.

Published in the Coventry Evening Telegraph, 10 April 2006.
Evening Telegraph Business awards 2006

They turned up at Coventry Transport Museum to collect gold awards after completing a course financed by the European Social Fund.

The Coventry-based Heart of England Community Foundation helped secure European cash totalling £10,000 to run the 25-hour road user awareness course being operated by the Motorvate UK project.

Among those awarded a certificate was 17-year-old Natasha Kelly, of Spinney Hill, Warwick, who has now applied for her provisional driving licence.

She said: “I like driving. I enjoyed the course because it was fun, and it was nice to meet other people. I am more confident now.”

Ishpal Narwal, aged 19, of Leamington, added: “It was a brilliant course and I feel a lot more confident.”

The off-road lessons were given by city driving instructor Brian Andrews at Hearsall Common, Coventry.

Mr Andrews said the hearing problems of the 24 people on the course were not a disadvantage.

“Their awareness is very keen,” he said. “For example, when it comes to feeling the ‘biting’ point on the clutch, they sense it more acutely because they feel the vibrations of the car better than a hearing person.”

Phil Moody, project organiser with Coventry-based Motorvate UK, said: “The young people will hopefully now go on to pass their driving test. I am proud of them all.”

By Steve Evans
Appearred on www.ic-coventry.co.uk, Dec 6 2005

Through different projects, the young people’s social skills, behaviour, risk taking and development are being looked at, and their achievements accredited.
Working with Frontline AV, a group of young people have gained new skills in music and multi-media art forms and have developed a music studio programme which will be used for other young people in the area.

Drugs and alcohol workshops have been run by Shadow and Discovery, including educational sessions about their effects, harm reduction, understanding the law and risk taking behaviour.

‘Getting Connected’ workshops, facilitated by youth workers, have focused on young people developing an awareness of themselves, their rights and responsibilities. The youngsters have discovered the support networks available to them and thought more about what they want to do when they reach 16.

“Young people who have participated in the programme have developed many skills including the ability to interact with others in a positive way.”

More than 30 young people have already been involved in the 12 week Motorvate UK Motor Vehicle Training and Education programme, which is run from Jubilee Crescent Community Centre, It looks at all aspects of driving including practical driving experience, theory knowledge and tests, what’s under the bonnet, car crime and the law.

“The young people who have participated in the programme have developed many skills including the ability to interact with others in a positive way,” said Nicola Holmes. “Many have progressed into employment or further education and some have re-engaged with school, which is great news.”

Inspector Graham Cramp added: “It’s fundamental to the policing strategy and also to the vitality of the whole community that young people have some kind of diversion and change programme which enables them to look at things from a different perspective and stops them being dragged into crime. This project is something really positive.”

“The young people who have participated in the programme have developed many skills including the ability to interact with others in a positive way.”

Staff at Connexions have set up a series of driving awareness classes for deaf people in Warwickshire in partnership with motor education centre Motovate UK.

The courses will improve the confidence of young deaf people through practical driving experience, basic car maintenance and mechanics, driving theory and road safety.

Participants undergo practical sessions at go-kart tracks and the Heritage Motor Museum in Gaydon.

Connexions Personal Adviser Phyl Painter, who is running the scheme, said: “Learning to drive can be difficult enough, but imagine not being able to hear your instructor.
“We have a lot of deaf people from the area who go to school throughout the UK, but when they come back to Coventry unable to drive, they can feel isolated and unable to get out and about as well as they might.
“We look to give young deaf people practical experience of driving in a safe environment.”

Phyl is now planning to put together a signed video relating to driving theory.

Published in the Weekly Tribune, 2 June 2005

Each Saturday the group meets at Radford Road Fire Station and has driving lessons out on the roads as well as learning all about car maintenance and how to be a good driver.

Siobhan O’Rynn aged 18 said: “I am learning all about the different aspects of driving such as road safety and the cost of keeping a car as well as doing driving lessons which I would not be able to afford otherwise.”

“Being on the driving course has been really great,” said 23 year-old Sally Pollock. “It has really helped me as I want to drive a car of my own but money hasn’t been easy.”

Nile Kassar aged 19 added: “This course is a great learning experience. It definitely gets a thumbs up!”

Published by the North West News, June 2005

Motorvate UK, based in Spon Street, works with secondary schools and youth clubs to educate children aged 14 plus on their social and personal responsibilities as road users.

The courses are both practical and theoretical – dealing with pedestrians, push-bikes, motorbikes and cars – leading to bona fide qualifications.

Motorvate UK was formed just 18 months ago by Phil Moodie, a former community worker, but already his business has expanded nationwide.
Phil said: “Teenagers have a duty to themselves and to other road users to ensure that they act in a safe and sensible manner at all times.
“Whether they are on the pavement, crossing the road, or even driving a vehicle, they have to understand the potential dangers and deal with them accordingly.
“But the courses we provide are not just geared towards road awareness. We also teach vehicle maintenance, Compulsory Bike Training, the Highway Code and financial issues such as tax and insurance.”

A range of different courses are available lasting from one day to a year, with lectures from experienced industry figures, discussion seminars and hands on tasks to ensure speedy learning.
In Coventry, the courses are taught at several venues including the new Coventry Motor Museum and Herewood College.

And having recently received help from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Motorvate UK is now preparing to introduce new computer packages to its courses.

Susan Love, from the Chamber’s Business Link team, said: “Motorvate is a dynamic business which is driving young people towards a better understanding of road safety and vehicle management.
“The Chamber’s Business Link worked alongside Motorvate to identify and develop appropriate IT systems which will be used to support the company’s activities and provide important management information in future.
“We identified a number of suitable software packages and these could prove integral to the firm’s continued success.”

Published by the Chamber of Commerce, March 2005

The Motorvate course is being run at Barrs Hill School and Community College for about ten pupils.

It is funded by the Learning and Skill’s Council’s (LSC) Local Initiative Fund and supports the LSC’s aims to ensure all people, especially those from under represented groups, have an equal chance to learn.

The 12-week course was originally designed by Coventry man Phil Moodie to stop young people getting in trouble with the law but is now being used at Barrs Hill to teach the young people about driving and the power of cars.

Mrs Wilson said: “Each takes a turn at the wheel for about 20 minutes each week on an off-road site and they also learn about the history of cars, the Highway Code, what goes on under the bonnet and how to get your licence.

“The course is also teaching them about the human eost of road accidents and about the hurt caused to victims and their families.

“It really is very comprehensive and is making a real difference to their attitude to the roads – so much so that they are now criticising my driving when I take them for their lessons!”

The course is part of the school’s Prince’s Trust XL programme, designed to motivate 14 to 16-year-olds, and also introduces young people to careers in vehicle maintenance and engineering.

Clare Bee, LSC equality and diversity adviser said: “The course provides an ideal opportunity for a group of learners at risk of underachieving, to participate in a method of learning that enables them to progress into engineering related studies. We are particularly pleased that a proportion of the learners are female and that all of the learners are extremely committed to the programme.”

Published in the Coventry Evening Telegraph, 20 January 2005