Wheels for Life scheme seeking partner organisations to drive forward referrals.

Wheels for Life scheme seeking partner organisations to drive forward referrals.

Wheels for Life is a new scheme for bike donations in Lincolnshire which is taking pre-loved bikes and bringing them back to a usable condition, for them to be gifted to people who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the varied benefits of owning a bike.

Hubs are now open and located around the county including Louth, Lincoln, Grantham, Skegness, Holbeach and North Hykeham where bikes are being gratefully received.

Each of the hub teams are working with referral partners around Lincolnshire who are involved in supporting people in their local area who need a bike free of charge through the scheme.  Active Lincolnshire are reaching out to work with more partners across the county to support them in their vision to create a self-sustaining bike donation scheme that supports people seeking refuge and facing the cost-of-living crisis by offering them a transport option.

Donna Sutton, Health and Wellbeing Lead for Active Lincolnshire who leads on the referrals says, ‘’We would love to work with more referral partners across the county, especially those close to the hubs.  If you are a community organisation, we are keen to talk to you as this is a great way to support the work you are already doing on the ground in the county.  We will introduce you to the scheme and show how simple it can be to refer people. Recipients of these bikes have reported how it has given them back a sense of independence, and has made a real difference to their lives.’’

One of the partners already on board and supporting the scheme, is YMCA Lincolnshire.  Activity Coordinator, Stefan Stewart says, ‘’The Wheels for Life project is brilliant. I heard about something similar in Hull a few years ago and thought it would be great for Lincolnshire.  To be able to offer people a decent working bike, who would otherwise be unable to afford one is really positive. We are truly seeing the impact it makes firsthand.’’

If you wish to find out how to be referred for a bike, please contact the referral partners through the Wheels for Life website.  They will be available to chat about how a bike can help you, and if appropriate, will refer you to the scheme and match you with an appropriate bike and accessories.

The scheme is encouraging people to search their garages and sheds for any unloved and unused bike that can be donated.  It is recommended that bikes donated are adult and older children’s bikes in a useable and repairable condition.

When the donated bikes arrive to their hub, they are repaired and fully serviced by volunteers to ensure that they have a long service life when they reach their new homes. The bikes will then be gifted to people across the county along with a cyclist starter kit.

A recent recipient of a Wheels for Life, through YMCA Lincolnshire told us, ‘’As a teenager I enjoyed mountain biking and did a lot of downhill riding.  I suffer with anxiety and depression which can affect my motivation to get out and about, so when I heard about the Wheels for Life project, I was delighted to be referred and be one of the first recipients.  Having a bike has enabled me to get around the city, enjoying the cycle routes, and also to attend hospital appointments, which means I do not have to rely on others to take me.  Thank you to the campaign for getting me back in the saddle and giving me back some independence.’’

Active Lincolnshire is running the scheme as the county’s charity who advocate the creating of inclusive, accessible opportunities for people to be active, and have launched this new scheme to rehome unloved and unwanted bicycles.  Their aim is to recycle 500 bikes in the first year of the campaign, which will have a huge impact on the environment saving 7.5 tons of waste every year.

Have you a bike you wish to donate?  Please go online to wheelsforlife.co.uk to find your local donation point.

Interested in finding out how you can receive a bike from the scheme? Please go online to https://www.activelincolnshire.com/wheels-for-life-bike-donation-lincolnshire/referral