YOUNGSTERS who may have fallen through cracks in the education system are to be given a helping hand towards getting a job.

Charity motor project Trax was formed more than 20 years ago to combat rising car crime and has since helped 5,000 young people gain skills, qualifications and employment.

It is always looking for help to support disadvantaged youngsters.

Now it has beaten four other charities to secure the latest £5,000 Diamond Jubilee Grant from Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF).

Trax project manager Lyndon Biddle, pictured, said: “We were thrilled to find out we had been awarded the grant.

“Trax provides practical courses such as mechanics and catering for young people aged 13-21, incorporating life and social skills as well as one-to-one support.

“Having helped youngsters gain self-confidence, qualifications and the knowledge there is a route in life after all, this grant will enable us to help them take the next step, full-time employment.”

Diamond grants provide cash for the county’s small and struggling charities and are awarded by OCF after the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Twenty-seven charities applied for the latest grant and on September 4, Trax and its fellow shortlisted charities Cheney Falcon Rowing Club, the Donnington Doorstep Family Centre, Oxfordshire Association for Young People and family bereavement charity SeeSaw, made presentations on their work to an independent grants panel at OCF’s HQ in Oxford.

Trax was announced as the winner.

Mr Biddle said: “We have two new social enterprise projects, one restoring and selling push bikes and another in catering.

“These projects mean that youngsters will be able to show employers that they have worked in paid employment and can be punctual and polite.

“The projects have started, but the £5,000 grant will mean we can speed them up and get more youngsters involved. It’s great.”

OCF has already given grants to SpecialEffect, based in Charlbury, which adapts computer games for disabled people.

It has also aided SAFE! which supports young victims of crime, Oxford-based advocacy project My Life My Choice, and sports for disabled people charity KEEN.

Lady Stephanie North, chair of the grants panel, said: “The panel was very impressed by Trax’s programmes to engage with marginalised young people.”

  • Community charities can apply for grants by outlining their work in 600 words. E-mail ocf@oxfordshire.org or post to: Oxfordshire Community Foundation, 3 Woodin’s Way, Oxford, OX1 1HD.