Cycle Skills for Community Growth

The project created the space and capacity for training. After a successful refit, we started with our first two trainees and they worked with us until we broke off for Christmas on 23 December 2025. For the duration of the training, we had employed to mechanics from XO Bikes ex-offender programme; they worked in our shop, employed by us and they spent their time in a commercial environment as employees, developing their commercial skills. This was what the project set out to deliver and now that we have completed the first placements we are looking at how we can improve for the next set, as well as who else we can offer our support to.

The one unfortunate thing is that we started the project on a "soft start", without any publicity. This was because we were sensitive to any possible stigma that might have attached to the trainees' ex-offender status. We did not want them to be seen in any negative light so we protected that characteristic and gave up the chance to shout about what was going on, even though it was so worth celebrating.

For this, we would like to reiterate our gratitude to all our supporters, our community and the council for backing this project. We are looking forward to the next iteration.