Young people in Westmorland and Furness will again this year receive support to access education and training

Following a successful pilot scheme in 2023/24, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet has approved £300,000 spend to continue the 16-19 Education Travel Bursary programme.

The scheme is aimed at supporting 16 to 19-year-olds pay for transport for educational and training purposes, ensuring travel costs are not a barrier to young people achieving their potential.

The fund is not means tested and can be used for transport such as bus, train, taxis, fuel costs for private transport or bicycle.

Improvements to the scheme this year include an increase from 11 pence per mile to 13 pence per mile to cover fuel costs and an increase from £100 to £400 for students buying a bike to cycle.

The scheme will open for all new applicants from GCSE results day on 22 August and close on 1 November.

Alston Moor Federation will continue to be supported to provide affordable, subsidised bus transport for students to attend sixth form at New College, Durham in 2024/25. This is done via a transport service from Alston, collecting young people from Nenthead and along Weardale each day.

Myerscough College had received support for a non-means tested subsidy for students accessing the land-based provision delivered by the college at Ullswater Community College in Penrith. Following a review of take-up, it has been agreed that Myerscough students will apply to the bursary individually.

Last year a total of £269,647 was granted to 385 individuals, as well support for the two college transport schemes.

Qualifications that successful applicants were studying for included A Levels, AATs, BTECs, AS Levels, Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, T Levels, UALs, Degrees and HNCs. Subjects studied include English, maths, agriculture, chemistry, physics, geography, electrical installation, health and social care, art, animal management, sports coaching, cyber security, engineering, economics, music and plumbing.

Feedback from one family about the positive impact of the scheme said: “The bursary has helped massively as transport costs have risen a huge amount along with other things.”

One student said: “It’s taken off the pressure of having to pay for travel in order to study at a college further away on a course I wanted to study, rather than settling on another course at a school in walking distance.”

Another said: “A positive impact. No need to borrow money to cover our son’s college travel costs.”

Councillor Sue Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Skills, said: “It was wonderful to see the positive and life-changing results of last year’s scheme and we would love this year’s bursary to help event more young people.

“Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to reducing inequality and making it as easy as possible for young people to continue in education and learning post 16.  I urge anybody who thinks they might be eligible to look out for the scheme opening in August and get their application in.”

Councillor Neil Hughes, Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services, said: “Our vision for Westmorland and Furness includes improving infrastructure and connectivity and this continued investment in transport will play a part in achieving that, especially for young people living in more remote areas.

“After the success of last year’s scheme and seeing it’s impact, we are delighted to be able to do the same again and support young people travel to training, skills and education they would otherwise may have struggled to access.”

Other support is available from Westmorland and Furness Council.

If you are under 19 years of age on 1 September 2024, come from a low income family and you are studying a full time course (a minimum of 17 hours per week), you may be eligible for free Post 16 (low income) transport.

This is available to students in full-time education, who live over three miles from their catchment sixth form or nearest college offering the vocational area they are studying and whose parent or carer is on one of a range of benefits.  For more information visit the Westmorland and Furness Council website at www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-transport.

The A2B Now card – a reduced fare bus travel card for 5-20 year olds living in Westmorland and Furness outside school travel times – is also available for young people to help them access leisure, sports, social participation and culture.

Residents aged between five and 20 years old can apply for the pass, which costs £10 per year.

It is valid on local bus services within Westmorland and Furness and entitles holders to bus travel for £1.80 (single) and £3 (return). If the normal fare is less than this travellers will pay the normal fare.

Application forms for the A2B Now card are available at all libraries in Westmorland and Furness or can be downloaded at https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/bus-services/a2b-nowcard.