Lessons in life and driving

Thanks to the Braking the Cycle program at PCYC Crestmead, 184 young drivers are now on the road with more freedom and agency than ever.

The program pairs learner drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 with volunteer mentors to complete the requisite 100 hours of driving.

‘If you don’t have family support or resources in your life, getting those 100 hours is really challenging,’ Program Coordinator Julie Stark says.

Braking the Cycle not only helps young people earn their licences but also supports them in understanding road safety, gaining employment and increasing their sense of social inclusion.

Many of the students sign up in hopes of improving their employability with a driver’s licence.

‘One of the great things about the program is that students get to interact with a broader range of people, as our mentors come from so many different industries and backgrounds,’ Julie says.

‘They learn a lot about life and gain more confidence in going off to achieve their goals.’

Mentors also find the program incredibly rewarding.

‘All of our mentors just love seeing students graduate and seeing that final photograph they take when they pass the test,’ Julie says.

‘They also build such lovely relationships as they celebrate all the little milestones.’

Julie, who has been involved in the program for more than 3 years, loves seeing how students improve after each session.

‘We sometimes have students who really do struggle with a specific skill or simply paying attention while on the road,’ she says.

‘It’s so amazing when we see them reach that point where you know they’ve got it and we don’t have to worry about them anymore.

‘Safety is a core feature of our program – we work so hard to make sure we’re letting safe young drivers out onto the roads.’

The Braking the Cycle program is available at the Crestmead, Cronulla Park and Beenleigh branches of PCYC. The program is a particularly great opportunity for any young person that has left school and is struggling to find employment.

Our mentors come from all walks of life and will be supported with comprehensive training. Our existing volunteers find the experience incredibly rewarding and we welcome all mentors.

There is currently a waitlist for learners based on needs, with a shorter wait for those interested in a manual license. If you’d like to become a mentor or student driver, please complete the form on the Braking the Cycle website or sign up on Seek.