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New Car Scheme Launched to help people back to work

13 July 2010

An innovative project has been launched in North Lanarkshire to help people get back on the road to employment.

Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) will run a Social Car Rental Scheme to provide cars on a short-term and affordable basis to unemployed people in the Wishaw and Shotts area.

The pilot project, funded by North Lanarkshire’s Working, is intended to help those who may be unable to take up full-time employment because they have no reasonable means of getting to work.

Running until September 2011, it will allow participants to hire a car for up to 12 weeks, giving them time to either save for their own vehicle, or make suitable alternative arrangements to get to and from their place of work, such as car-sharing.

The Wishaw-based scheme will be open to anyone over the age of 25, with a full clean driving licence, who has been offered employment and is finding it difficult to get to work by public transport.

Patrick McAllister, Social Car Rental Scheme Co-ordinator, from VANL, said: “We are delighted to receive funding from North Lanarkshire’s Working to run this pilot scheme which we hope will tackle some of the barriers facing people looking to get back into employment.

“This should enhance opportunities and provide the support needed for many who are unable to get to their place of work because there are no connecting bus services around early or late shifts or have affordability issues of running a car.”

If successful, the £40,000 scheme may be rolled out to other areas of North Lanarkshire.

Maureen McConachie, Head of Regeneration Services at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “It can be extremely frustrating for our unemployed residents if they know of job opportunities but are prevented from pursuing them if the job happens not to be on a public transport route.

“The Social Car Rental scheme is an important partnership initiative to provide a practical solution to this problem.”

A number of second hand economy-class cars are being made available to support individuals who will be asked to make a weekly payment of around £25 towards the scheme and to cover their own fuel costs.

All tax, insurance and maintenance costs will be covered by the project, for the duration of the loan.

Clients will also be required to undertake specific training before a vehicle is handed over to ensure driving skills are up to scratch.

For further information please contact the Social Car Rental Scheme Co-ordinator Patrick Mc Allister by telephone 01698 358866 or by e-mail pat.mcallister@vanl.co.uk.

For more information on North Lanarkshire’s Working, including available training opportunities, visit www.northlanarkshiresworking.co.uk.

 

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