Leeds bike charity set to rennovate workshop after grant from enfinium

The funding was awarded to the charity by enfinium’s nearby Skelton Grange energy from waste facility, which is currently under construction.

Councillor Ed Carlisle, from the Big Bike Fix, said: “Huge thanks to enfinium for supporting our bike project with this grant. Our workshop and teaching space is so much better than before, which our volunteer team have really appreciated.

"It’s meant we’ve been able to make an even bigger difference in our community: enabling people to travel for free, which can especially help with work and education opportunities, and also positively impacting people’s health, wellbeing and confidence.”

As well as funding the renovation of the Big Bike Fix Workshop in Beeston Hill, the grant from enfinium will enable more volunteers to be trained and become more experienced bicycle mechanics. This helps grow skills within the community as well as passing on know-how that boosts employability, where needed. Beneficiaries of the bikes are also encouraged to get involved in the fixing and maintenance of their own bicycles.

Clara, a bike recipient from the Big Bike Fix, said: “We’ve managed to get bikes for our whole family of five from the Bike Fix project and they’re brilliant. When we’ve had issues with them we have simply visited the workshop and got them fixed, plus gained the skills to sort the minor things ourselves.

"The bike has made a huge difference to my mental health but also allows us to enjoy family time – every weekend we head off on a bike ride together.

“I’m very environmentally conscious of how much we consume as a family, so knowing that we are making full use of bikes, rather than driving somewhere, and fixing instead of buying new, is great.”