By Callum Ludwig
The L2P program run by the Yarra Ranges is seeking more mentors, in particular those who identify as female or non-binary.
L2P mentors need only to have a full driver’s license and up to two hours a week to take on a keen learner in helping them get their 120 hours of driving and experience on the road.
Yarra Ranges Council’s L2P project officer Steve D’Abico said they are doing a callout for more volunteers across the board.
“We’re particularly keen to bring on some more female or non-binary identifying people to the program, the reason being is we have young people that fit that category,” he said.
“Sometimes to support the young people, it’s important for them to have a connection to a volunteer or to a mentor in a range of different ways and for some of our learners, it’s a way for them to feel safe while participating in the program.”
Funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), the L2P program is currently being delivered by almost 60 local councils and not-for-profit organisations in Victoria.
Mr D’Abico said it’s really important that the learners feel safe and comfortable while on drives with L2P for a number of reasons.
“The learner and the mentor need to be actually physically safe while they’re out driving, they are in control of a vehicle so you want the learner to be in the right mindset to do that and if they’re stressed or anxious or feeling unsafe, then that can be a bit of a challenge for them,” he said.
“At the same time, it’s an opportunity for them to connect with someone within their community who could be a role model for them and support them through that time in their life which is another reason it would be great to be able to connect them with the mentor they might need.”
Learner drivers between the ages of 16 and 21, and as old as 23 in certain circumstances, without access to a supervising driver or a suitable vehicle are eligible to join a local L2P program.
Mr D’Abico said they stagger the approach for learners and mentors when they first meet.
“The first time they meet is not in the car, it kind of takes a little bit of pressure off. We meet at the office or at an interview location, but it’s a chance for them to meet before they jump in for their first drive,” he said.
“It helps them get to know each other before they start driving together and tackling what can be a really challenging task, dealing with other road users, dealing with the road, dealing with road conditions and all those kinds of things.”
A vehicle is supplied for L2P sessions, mentors are not required to make use of their own vehicles for the program.
Mr D’Abico said it’s great to send learners out into the world after they finish their hours and while they don’t always hear back, it’s also greeting hearing the fun stories of what it has helped them do.
“I heard from a community member yesterday that had a connection to a learner who said they had finished their hours, got their licence, had been able to get into work and was now thriving, that young person was stuck in a position where they could not get their hours before,” he said.
“Now they can connect to their community, to work and they’re now doing tertiary studies, which they weren’t doing before, all these connections they now have to the community that they wouldn’t have had.”
Anyone who is interested in becoming a mentor can contact Steve D’Abico at 0417 534 945 or L2P@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
