On Your Bike needs a van!
Our van is the unsung hero in the Charity! We use it most days for outreach programmes like our Dr Bike repair sessions which are run in partnership with local parish councils, businesses, and schools. Most importantly, we use the van to collect unwanted bikes from their previous home in the local community.
After supporting thousands of people and clocking up miles all across Somerset, sadly, our van has reached the end of its life. Charities like us have to fight for every penny to survive and when a major part like our van breaks- the money just isn't there to replace it. Not being able to collect donated bikes means we cannot do what we do.
For every £1 you donate, it will be matched by £3 from
The Cost of Living Resiliance Fund.
Our target is £15,000
CROWDFUNDING PROJECT
Thank you for your support.
WHERE WE STARTED
On Your Bike is a registered charity that formed in Wellington, Somerset in June 2010, later becoming incorporated in August 2011. The key aim is to train and support those who have suffered social exclusion, those suffering with physical disabilities and mental health problems/disorders, ex-service personnel, ex-offenders, homeless and long term unemployed. Through working in our fully equipped workshops with support and supervision from our Cytech trained mechanics to refurbish unwanted bicycles, volunteers and beneficiaries gain new skills, confidence, self-worth, and a desire to be a proactive part of our community. We have recycled and serviced thousands of bikes, and will continue to do so to support, and supply affordable bikes to our amazing community.
GIVE PURPOSE
To people through training and support
GIVE PURPOSE
To tired bicycles, recycling them to new homes and out of landfill
GIVE PURPOSE
To the community by reintegration of people, assisting in the reduction of bikes to landfill, and promoting the health benefits of cycling
HELPING PEOPLE
OYB helped in the overall personal development and skill enhancement of the individuals below. We have helped other long term unemployed gain work experience and we have also assisted those with mental health concerns to be able to find enjoyment again.
A said “After my mother died, I suffered from depression and actually took an over dose as suicide attempt, plus self-harmed. Being at OYB has been fantastic therapy in helping me to fight depression and show me life is worth living”
OYB volunteer. March 2012
B is a 57 year-old who was unemployed for 7 years, being treated for depression, and hardly able to make eye contact with people. He became a volunteer at OYB for 9 months. During this period he passed his Cytech II (industry standard) cycle mechanics qualification. Today he is employed and working as a qualified cycle mechanic and sales man. He is now definitely able to make eye contact with the clients!
C came to OYB as a 27 year-old unemployed volunteer and now has a full time job; we believe partially because his confidence was restored with OYB.
D, a 20 year old, came to OYB as a student volunteer and through OYB has taken and passed his Cytech II. He approached a local bike shop in Taunton for a job and was told no vacancy was available but after showing them his Cytech ll certificate he was offered a trial job session. He is now employed with a South West-wide bike shop chain.
E - Twenty-one year-old came from flipping burgers and washing cars. We employed him from day one and paid for his immediate training as a City & Guilds Cycle Mechanic, which he failed first time, then retook and passed. He is now a very accomplished, skilled and competent mechanic and a very able sales person who has been left to manage OYB in the Founder’s absence; an amazing achievement. He is now tackling his dyslexia and poor literacy standards.
If you would like to become one of our volunteers, please contact us for more information.
