Yarlington Housing Group and Bucklers Mead Academy fund pioneering project which offers learning 'Revolution'

 A pioneering partnership has celebrated its success, and welcomed a Government Minister keen to learn how it can turn a young person's life around.

Children's charity Barnardo's has introduced a mobile classroom and workshop - 'Revolutions' - which teaches motor mechanics and life skills. The service works with young people at risk of becoming NEETs (not in education, employment or training) to inspire them to continue their studies or seek full-time work. The 'Revolutions' trucks feature a mobile workshop with engines, workbenches and tools, together with a mobile classroom with a learning suite.

In Somerset the course is funded by Yarlington Housing Group and Buckler's Mead Academy in Yeovil, where it works with Year 8 students. A team of mechanic tutors and project workers provide a Level 1 course in motor mechanics, with the opportunity to progress to a Level 2.

On Friday 11th January, David Laws MP, Minister of State for Schools, visited Revolutions and met the partners behind the scheme and the young people who have already benefitted from this project. Mr Laws said, "Giving everyone the best start in life is one of the driving forces of the Coalition Government, and I'm extremely pleased to be able to meet with some young people from my Constituency who have already benefited from this excellent scheme."

The Revolutions Project has supported more than a hundred students across the region and positive outcomes include improved behaviour and school attendance, as well as increased self-confidence and self-esteem.

Ken Comber, Head of Communities at Yarlington, said: "We believe that inspiring young people to achieve their potential is vital to them reaching fulfilment as adults, and forms a core part of our company strategy.

"We are therefore delighted to be able to work with Barnardo's and Buckler's Mead to help shape the future of the next generation."

Yvonne Rodgers, Barnardo's South West director, said: "These vocational courses provide an alternative for those who sometimes struggle in mainstream schooling, or are at risk of exclusion. The project is completely mobile which allows us to take the service wherever it's needed most.

"We are grateful for the generous support given to us by Yarlington, whose innovative approach to community engagement recognises that some young people need extra support in order to make a successful transition to adulthood".

For further information on Barnardo's Revolutions, visit www.barnardos.org.uk/revolutions