City MP praises success of new social enterprise pilot project

Trainees on a pilot scheme to refurbish and re-sell bicycles in Exeter have been demonstrating their skills to MP and cycling enthusiast Ben Bradshaw.

The project, run by city charity Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI), is designed to give training and skills to the unemployed as well prevent unwanted bikes from being dumped in landfill.

Mr Bradshaw said he was very impressed with what Exeter Community Bikes had achieved so far and felt it was an excellent idea for a social enterprise. “I think this is a fabulous project because it does so many different things.

“It teaches new work skills to young people, involves them in work training and its very inclusive.

“It also has a very strong sustainable message.” 

Mr Bradshaw added that he hoped it would encourage more people to cycle in Exeter so that it took more cars off the city’s roads. The pilot, which has been running since the beginning of June, is based on the lower floor of the Harlequin Centre in Exeter.

All the bikes in the workshop have been donated for the trainees to learn skills such as how to mend brakes, changes tyres and repair gears.

James Nix, 22, from Exwick in Exeter, said the project had been a great experience for him. “I finished the bike I was working on in three days, but I still came the rest of the week because I enjoyed it so much. It’s been a reason to get up in the morning.”

Graham Swinbank, 20, from Burnthouse Lane, agreed: “I know a lot about bikes already so this has been really great. I would love to have a job like this.”

The pilot has been such a success that ECI’s chief executive Matt Bell said they were now using the information to refine the business model for a viable social enterprise.

“We’re really delighted with what we have achieved so far with Exeter Community Bikes. It’s exceeded our expectations.

“We’ve tried to come up with a project that provides a social benefit but will also work in the current difficult economic climate.

“We’ve been really impressed with the commitment of the both the trainees and all the fantastic volunteers who have given up their time and their expertise to support us. Exeter Community Bikes has been chosen by the John Lewis Community Matters team to benefit from their charitable giving scheme. It means that it will be one of three charities to receive a share of £3,000 donated by the store. Each charity receives a proportion of the money according to how many tokens are supplied by shoppers.

Click here for more information about the work of Exeter Community Initiatives.