Vulnerable young adults in Gloucester are turning their lives full cycle with the spirit of enterprise and a bike workshop.

A disused garage and discarded bicycles are being transformed into a budding enterprise by bright young people in Gloucester.

The young people from the Stonham Gloucester Alternatives Project in Worcester Street are repairing dumped and broken bikes and selling them on to raise much needed funds for the service.

The Stonham project provides accommodation and support to vulnerable people aged between 16-25 years-old. Many of its clients have been homeless or experienced great difficulties in their young lives.

The enterprise offers bargain bikes and a great opportunity to get fit and go green all at the same time.

Stonham service manager Lee Cruickshank said: “Since we started this project in December last year we have been delighted with the response from our clients, staff and members of the public.

“Our service is always looking for new and interesting ways to raise money and the clients and staff here came up with the bicycle idea. We had a garage at the back of our property which was just lying dormant. But with a lot of hard work the clients and staff turned it into a workshop. Currently any money we make from sales is being reinvested by our clients into buying more tools and bicycles. It’s a brilliant way of getting our clients interested in business, the environment and healthier living.”

Stonham client Kevin said: “I am really happy to have been given some responsibility and the chance to use my time positively. I’m also really happy that we can give something back to the service and the local community.”

The project gets its old bicycles from a number of sources including the website Freecycle and by working with the local Police and Gloucester train station which donate deserted bikes to the service.

To donate an unwanted bicycle or to find out more about the project call Lee on 01242 233 645 or email: lee.cruickshank@homegroup.org.uk