For some young people on the South Coast, getting a drivers licence can be tough but the Eden Community Access Centre is launching a new program to help get youths safely on our roads.
The Bega Valley L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is on the lookout for volunteers to mentor disadvantaged young people in the region and help them obtain their 120 log book hours.
Learners will have professional driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor before being matched with a volunteer driver mentor.
Eden Community Access Centre will coordinate the program, while a car has been bought thanks to donations from Rotary Clubs in Bega, Pambula and Merimbula as well as Pambula-Merimbula Lions.
Workforce Australia Local Jobs, in collaboration with its transport working group, has been actively engaged in advocating for initiatives with Transport for NSW. Additionally, they have been collaborating with local organisations to trial and execute inventive transportation strategies.
L2P Driver Mentor Program Project Support Officer, Deb Austen, said the program aims to help get young people licensed but it also has a focus on supporting them to be safe drivers as well.
“They can get their P-plate licences in the effort to overcome transport problems for their development with further education and career prospects,” Ms Austen said.
“We already have a handful of trusty volunteers who have put their hand up but we could use more.”
Anyone in the Bega Valley who is keen on becoming a mentor is welcome to attend an upcoming training day.
The first training day will be held on Wednesday the 6th of March from 10am in Eden at the CWA rooms on Imlay street, and from 2pm in Bega at the Disability Trust building on Newtown road. Morning and afternoon teas will be supplied respectively.
“We hope to see as many mentors as possible at training so we can start helping young people with their 120 log book hours,” Ms Austen said.
“This is truly a fantastic program being put together with the collaboration of some amazing community organisations and service clubs.”
For more information on the program contact Deb Austen at deb.L2P@eden.nsw.au or (02) 6496 3970.
Images: Bega Valley L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program
