December 18th 2015

The 2015 class of independent travellers graduated at a ceremony on Wednesday (16 December), as the second cohort to successfully complete a scheme to promote independence and open up routes to further education, employment and leisure for young people with special educational needs.

Derby’s travel training programme is delivered through the excellent partnership working between the city schools and the Council and offers young people the skills to enable them to travel independently. Trainers help young people to learn how to cope with traffic and road safety, get to grips with the Highway Code and build confidence in using buses and trains. Since the scheme has started just under 100 young people have become Independent Travellers.

The young people received certificates and Connected goody bags from Councillor Sarah Russell, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.

Councillor Russell said: “The training is invaluable to young people in building their confidence, opening up opportunities and creating a stepping stone to work. All the young people should be very proud of the fundamental life skills they have gained and the hard work they have put into the training. I’m delighted to be presenting them with certifcates to mark their achivement.”

The city’s bus companies, trentbarton and Arriva Midlands have both supported this scheme by providing free bus passes for the Independent Travel Trainers. trentbarton’s Mr MANGO was on hand at the ceremony to help celebrate the young people’s achievement.

The Independent Travel Training scheme is part of Derby’s Local Offer helping to provide services and information for 0 – 25 year olds with special needs and disabilities. To find out more about Derby’s Local Offer visit www.derby.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer