Tribe Drive to help learners succeed

The Tribe Drive program is changing lives by helping learner drivers attain the hours and skills they need to secure a driver’s license.

The program is offered by Tribe Social Belonging, a Redcliffe charity which provides opportunity through connection.

Tribe Drive will be officially launched in February after a soft launch last year, and early success.

Lachlan Spark, 19, and Madison Mueller, 17, are two young people who have already benefited from the program which connected them with a volunteer supervisor driver.

Lachlan had just 13 hours when he started with Tribe Drive and has now completed the required 100 hours and passed his driving test.

Madison says she had clocked up about 20 hours when she started with Tribe Drive, and it had been helpful to complete her hours with someone who understood the road rules and could teach her how to drive correctly.

Both say they would not have attained the hours of supervised driving required to sit the driving test without Tribe Drive.

Lachlan has secured a job as a labourer since getting his license and is planning to study at TAFE, so he can get an apprenticeship as a plumber.

Madison is now finding it easier to travel to her retail job at North Lakes.

“Tribe’s done an awesome job for young people. I’ll forever be grateful for what they’ve done,” Lachlan says.

Tribe Drive’s Mick Snell started as a volunteer driving supervisor and has since completed a course, making him a qualified driving instructor.

“I found I really enjoyed teaching these kids and watching them learn,” Mick says.

He says the training he completed was comprehensive, so he is now qualified to pass on the skills and knowledge learner drivers need to pass the test.

Mick helped Lachlan attain his hours, and helped Madison fine-tune her skills before her exam.

He believes attaining a driver’s license gives people independence, the ability to secure work and confidence. Helping people achieve this makes him and the volunteer supervisor drivers feel good.

Tribe Social Belonging Founder Ryan Elson says his team of volunteers are making a significant difference to the lives of young people.

“Many kids don't have family support to get 100 hours and they fall through the cracks. If someone can spare an hour a week, they can change a young person's life. We couldn't do this without our volunteers,” he says.

With runs already on the board, Tribe Drive is expanding.

It will continue to offer free access to volunteer supervisors and a vehicle for those struggling to attain 100 hours and needing to refine their skills, but will also offer low-cost driving instructor lessons for those who qualify and need help before they sit their driving test. Criteria will apply.

There will also be a driving instructor service for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Ryan says Tribe will also offer businesses the chance to support the program.

“We’re about to release a prospectus explaining opportunities to sponsor a learner driver at a cost of $10 a week or $500 for one year,” Ryan explains.

This would cover learner’s permit preparation, exam, hazard perception and driver’s license test, plus a driver’s license for five years. Sponsorship is tax deductible because Tribe Social Belonging is a registered charity.

“If you can afford $10 a week, you’re giving a local kid an opportunity for freedom and employment,” Ryan says.

To find out more or to volunteer, contact Tribe Social Belonging Founder Ryan Elson on 0422 232 437 or via email at [email protected]