ABOUT REV AND GO

The aims involve reduction in anti-social behaviour, promotion of social inclusion, encouragement of literacy and numeracy with a view to improving community involvement, education & work opportunities.
Cotgrave is Rev and Go's focus. Statistics reveal the ex-mining town of 7,500 to be the most deprived area of Nottinghamshire south of the River Trent.
The trust strives to alleviate some of the inequality experienced at local schools. Sporting excellence has been achieved by one founder. He is one of the UK's best dozen amateur racers. He is a positive example of personal achievement in the face of adversity.
Current older members strive for examination results at the end of year 11 to gain access to colleges and to apprenticeship schemes. This is the result of work over several years with those previously excluded from school and subject to low expectations

We use a purpose built motor cycle training track licensed from the Territorial Army. These trips operate at least monthly, according to weather and volunteer availability. Current bikes used include 3 Yamaha Ttr125s, 4 Kawasaki KX125, 2 KX85, a Tamaha YZ85 Small Wheel and a Honda CR125. Full protective equipment is worn by all participants in off road riding activities.
Maintenance of the bikes is undertaken by members under supervision. The Project Manager is a City and Guilds Qualified Motor Cycle Technician, in addition to his youth work qualifications and life time skills in business management.
Member self government is key to success of the project, for which members meet in formal session. They take the normal roles of chair etc. Special functions such as trips arrangement and maintenance management are allocated.

Rev and Go is well known by all local young people. The high adrenaline component ensures good word of mouth communication. Members control access, monitoring each applicant's willingness to honour their contract. A meeting is held with every applicant's parent/carer to ensure that they understand and accept the risks and benefits associated with the group's activities.
The project is well known nationally, frequently hosting photo shoots. Our web site shows a video shot professionally by Big Lottery Fund. Members gained considerable benefits from making the "young people's presentation" for Big Lottery at the East Midlands' launch of "myplace". Members take part in radio broadcasts about bike safety.

Safety equipment as recommended by the ACU (the governing body for motorcycle sport in the UK) is mandatory.
Workshop sessions use safety equipment such as overalls, protective gloves, goggles and cleaning agents.

All work is undertaken on a voluntary basis, avoiding any staff costs. Funding is drawn from a variety of trust funds (e.g. Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales) and from organisations such as Big Lottery. Budget for 2010/11 will be almost £40,000. 

Work is assessed - for example the organisation of riding trips, quality of bike maintenance, accuracy of the financial records at bank reconciliation etc.
Maintenance of the contract is monitored by the members at regular meetings. Reports arrive from members, trustees, local police, town council, youth workers, schools and residents. A member can be expelled from the group by his peers, with permission to seek a 'court of appeal' within the trustee body. Should they give permission to re-gain membership then the young person has to re-apply, loosing all rights and privileges previously gained.

The area ranks 3,872nd out of 32,482 nationally for all crime (Office of National Statistics). Youth crime is highest in Rushcliffe (48 offences compared to Bingham's 22 in a 9 month period). Population comparisons are Cotgrave 705 and Bingham 660 young people.
The 7,737 population (2001 census) of the ex-mining town (pit closed in 1993) are the most deprived in the county south of the River Trent, in an otherwise affluent area. Cotgrave has 10.5% of Rushcliffe's 1 year benefit claimants, but only 6.9% of the Borough's population. Nationally the area is ranked 4,506th out of 32,482 for educational deprivation.
The Office of National Statistics shows Cotgrave's Key Stage 3 results as English 50%, Maths 56% and Science 56%. Borough comparisons are 82%, 87% and 86% respectively.
GCSE grades A+ to C are achieved by only 23% of pupils (but 13% of males) compared to a Borough figure of 69%.

Prior to the establishment of Rev and Go there was a significant public nuisance of riding motor cycles round the streets and woods by under age young men.
That has almost ceased.
With the high adrenaline "hook" of bike sport, we have reduced anti-social behaviour, promoted social inclusion, encouraged literacy and numeracy. We improve community involvement, education & work opportunities.