AN AWARD-winning project which steers young people away from crime and into motor mechanics has expanded.

Wheelbase can now open on evenings, weekends and in school holidays after receiving a £350,000 grant from the Government's Youth Sector Development Fund.

The project recently won two awards in recognition of their contribution to training in the workplace – a Regional Training Award and a National Training Award.

Mick Clifford MBE, CEO of Wheelbase, said expanding has been "a dream for years".

"We've got the building and wanted to use it to capacity," he said.

"It's really sad closing the doors at four o'clock at the end of the school day, thinking we've got all this lovely fantastic stuff that kids could be using, but we haven't got the money to pay for staff."

The project previously opened during the day, and youngsters were referred there as an alternative to school.

Mr Clifford, who was awarded the MBE in the Queen's New Years Honours, said there were two main benefits to the grant from the Youth Sector Development Fund. They will now be able to target youngsters when they are most likely to be hanging around on the streets, and they will have 'beacon status' from the Government.

"When kids are deemed at risk, hanging around causing anti-social behaviour problems of all types, we are now open and we are able to offer a service for them to engage in, and it's free.

"But for me, what the Youth Sector Development Fund gives us is 'beacon status' – a statement from central Government which means they have highlighted us as a project which they want to emulate throughout the whole country."

Wheelbase's clients are aged between 14 and 25. Some have a history of offending while others are judged to be at risk of social exclusion through domestic problems, non-school attendance and similar issues.

It aims to reduce social exclusion and criminality, promote employability and allow individuals to realise their true potential.

It was launched in 1991 in Denman Street East, Radford, but in 2007 moved to their current bigger premises in Newark Street, Sneinton, so they could take on more students.

The new premises were officially opened by the Duke of Kent.

In February this year the Princess Royal opened a new tyre fitting bay which had been paid for by the Wooden Spoon Society, of which the Princess is a patron.

caroline.lowbridge@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk