Media release | Wednesday 29 June
Council calls out to sole parents with drive and motivation
The DRIVE Project aims to tackle the transition between being at home, full-time and moving into the work force.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 29 June 2011— Upper Hutt City Council today launched the ‘The DRIVE Project.’ This programme is designed to help people through the process of getting themselves and their family prepared for their return to the workforce. “Returning to work after a few years off, or searching for your first job since having children, can be so challenging as a lot of people lose confidence in themselves and forget how extremely capable they are.” says Jessica Setu from the Council’s Community Services team.

The DRIVE Project will commence by running a focus group made up of sole parents who are currently in receipt of a benefit and looking for work. “The key element of this project is for participants to possess the drive to improve their health and wellbeing, and to achieve their goals for themselves and their family.” says Miss Setu.
Being involved in this project will give participants access to training for job applications, sitting their driver’s licence, gaining a first aid certificate, and finding job placement.

“The purpose of the focus group is to give us better information about the needs of parents, their goals, and how we can achieve these, by eliminating barriers and guiding them through the transition between home with their children and part-time or full-time employment.” says Miss Setu. “There are other elements of this project aimed at young people in our community aged 16 – 24, who are in receipt of a benefit and searching for work, but for now we are concentrating on finding focus group participants.”

For more information on The DRIVE Project, or to take part in the focus group, please contact Jessica Setu on (04) 527 2794 or go to www.upperhuttcity.com/thedriveproject

ENDS

About Upper Hutt City Council
Upper Hutt City Council is the steward and custodian of Upper Hutt City, providing governance, infrastructure, and community services and resources, and promoting opportunity in the city for business, recreation, lifestyle, and leisure. Upper Hutt City is located 30 km north-east of Wellington City (41°07'34" S, 175°04'06" E) and boasts 70% of the region’s parks and reserves, along with state-of-the-art entertainment and leisure facilities.

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