An innovative project to establish a mobile ramp park facility, based in one of the most deprived areas of Corby in Northamptonshire, as a social enterprise has taken a step closer to reality.

The project concept, led by the Kingswood Local Alchemy Group in Corby, was generated through local community consultation in 2004. It is now being developed in partnership with the Corby Wheels Project, which operates the ‘Adrenalin Alley’ Ramp Park at the Rockingham Motor Circuit, and has the working name of ‘Adrenalin Rush’ to demonstrate the synergy between the projects.

The Open Day event that took place at the Kingswood Community Centre on 8 May, was a vital part of the project development, using a hired mobile park facility to gauge the level of interest amongst local young people, while canvassing their views through a simple questionnaire to help shape the project.

The response was impressive, with up to 100 local young people turning up to sample the variety of ramps available during the 4 hour session.

Project Manager, Mandy Young, who also manages the ‘Adrenalin Alley’ facility, was delighted with the turn out. “I think today we proved beyond doubt that a mobile facility working in the Corby area could have a tremendous impact and be sustainable. The reaction of the kids in attendance today was brilliant – they respected the equipment; those stewarding the event, and the Health and Safety rules needed to run an event like this safely”.

The project is rapidly moving through its second development phase, formulating funding bids and marketing its community safety benefits to a potential catchment area within a 20 mile radius of the Kingswood Estate.

“Our aim is to establish the facility as a social enterprise, providing wheeled sports opportunities to as many communities as we can. Hiring the facility to organisations and communities around Corby and beyond should enable us to deliver subsidised sessions in the more deprived areas of the town. Then there will be the added bonus of providing employment for local people, in an area that has suffered greatly from unemployment in recent years” added Mandy.

For further information about the project contact Mandy Young on 01536 271510.