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On the importance of providing that experience for young people, Stutter said: “It provides them with an environment to grow into it. They’ve got room to fail, but fail upwards. Timekeeping, presentation, attitude, are never going to be their top skills when they come into the project. “I would not trade my place with a young person these days,
in terms of how society views them, how society cares for them. I think the pressures on young people are horrific. “I’m sort of the avuncular project manager, and you have
to hear people’s stories. Their backstories where they’ve come from and what they’ve been through, be it as carers for ill parents, be it from the care system. “That’s where we draw our cohort from, people who have
fallen through the cracks because of life circumstances and it’s very difficult for a standard employer to take that on board in terms of their productivity. We have really watched people grow and blossom.” On plans to expand later this year, Stutter said: “We would love to. We are heading into a deep recession. Youth unemployment isn’t massive at the moment in the borough, but it’s only going to go one way. “And we’re in negotiation with other organisations.
We’ve actually got a fantastic programme now with Public Health England. There’s something called social prescribing, so you go to your GP, maybe with depression or with diabetes, and they’ll say here you go, I prescribe a bicycle. “We are going to provide 270 refurbished bikes. They will be going to various good causes, some of those will be for social prescribing.” Recognising that maintaining a bike can be expensive and a barrier to riding, the shop will also be donating bike servicing vouchers to low-income families in Westminster.
Sustainability focus Linking in with Westminster City Council’s wider climate action plan including its ambition to become a carbon neutral council by 2030 and city by 2040, the project also has a strong sustainability focus. In its first year, nine tonnes worth of disused bikes that would otherwise have gone to waste have been refurbished. The project’s reach has been made possible by sponsorship from businesses in Westminster including Capita, Ecoworld, Grosvenor, The Howard de Walden Estate, RMG, Westminster Community Homes, Ecoworld, HA Marks, Wates and Vital Energy. Councillor Geoff Barraclough, cabinet member for planning and economic development at Westminster City Council, said: “Westminster Wheels has helped people who face high barriers to employment such as homelessness learn new and useful skills. Over 60% of the trainees are now in full-time employment. If you’re a cycling enthusiast or just starting out on two wheels, please check out the Westminster Wheels shop on Church Street to meet the trainees and get expert advice on affordable bikes and servicing.” “We’re a bit of a pilot scheme,” Stutter concluded. “I think other boroughs are looking at their location. Sometimes they don’t need retail space because there are some boroughs which are blessed with some fantastic bike shops, but they’ve still got youth unemployment and there’s still a shortage of bike mechanics. “They might have a similar but different system there and other boroughs can tailor make the project to fit their needs.” ●
www.bikebiz.com
PHOTO BY EGOR MYZNIK ON UNSPLASH
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