Driving to Success sets participants on the right road

South Eastern Regional College is offering adults living in the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal area an opportunity to get free driving lessons as they work to gain qualifications.

Working in partnership with the Department for Communities and Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal, SERC is inviting any residents aged 18 and over, who are unemployed and not in full-time education, to sign up to their ‘Driving to Success’ programme, which includes free driving lessons as part of an innovative course to gain nationally-recognised qualifications.

SERC project officer, Tatiana Seed, says

“Driving to Success is a unique and innovative local project which engages with people from the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area to equip them with practical skills and knowledge to improve their employability.  This short-term, part-time programme offers individuals an opportunity to gain new practical skills and achieve nationally recognised qualifications in Personal Development, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Customer Service.”

Participants will also be put in the driving seat with the opportunity to take driving lessons and obtain a full driving licence.

Tatiana adds “Since 2012, more than 250 participants have completed the Driving to Success course. Many students tell us that participation on the programme has helped to build their confidence and boosted their self-esteem and motivation alongside the new relevant and practical skills. Following completion of the course many feel they inspired to continue their education at SERC."       

In their feedback on the programme students say that they would highly recommend the project to others who want to improve their lives and make a positive change. 

Raphael Crummy, Development Manager, Department for Communities says the programme benefits the whole community:

“Projects like Driving to Success engage with people in their local area and support them to make a difference for themselves and to transform their community.  Driving to Success instils a sense of pride in individuals and their communities which helps make communities stronger.”  

Driving to Success 21-22  is delivered by SERC in conjunction with the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and funded by the Department for Communities. All participants are residents of the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal area.

SERC will run the course in two groups: one group will be starting at the end of April 2021, the other group is planned to start in October 2021. The programme of study for each group will continue for 16 weeks and driving lessons and tests will run until the end of March 2022.

All the activities are subject to Covid-19 restrictions.  SERC aims to run the classes on campus. This will be kept under review in line with the government Covid-19 guidelines.

Anyone who would like to find out more about Driving to Success at SERC should contact Tatiana Seed at SERC on 028 4461 1514, mobile 07825021836, or email tseed@serc.ac.uk and they will be emailed an application form.

Caption: (L-R)  David Blair, Driving Instructor; Terence Mulholland, a student; Tatiana Seed, Driving to Success Project Officer; Isabel Fernandes Cruz, a student; Graeme Wonders, Driving Instructor. (picture taken before Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions).