Case studies

The 605 project was started nearly 4 years ago by a Sustrans Volunteer Ranger, Trish Forster-Nardi. Trish lives on the National Cycle Network near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and works in a further education college in Mansfield with students with special needs. The 605 Project is named after the local section of the National Cycle Network and extends environmental volunteering opportunities, and all its benefits to people with special needs and disabilities. About 20 young people with special needs volunteer on 2 days each week, with supervision as needed from Trish and other helpers.

What does the local community think?

Lee Craggs is a 20 year old student from Blidworth, Nottinghamshire. He has downs syndrome and is a very active and highly motivated volunteer Ranger. He has volunteered once a week for 2 years through the ‘605 project’.

Being a volunteer Ranger has helped immensely with Lee’s progression to adult life, built his confidence and self-esteem and equipped him with valuable skills. He has learned to ride, and repair bikes and this has allowed him to patrol his section of route. He has acquired horticulture skills such as growing seedlings to plant out and helping to manage vegetation on his route, has learned to deal with the public, helping to raise money for the 605 project and the National Cycle Network at local fetes. He has also collected many bags of rubbish left on and around his route. Since learning to ride a bike, Lee has also got a job delivering papers.