A Gran Fondo (Italian for ‘Big ride’) is a 100km cycle ride and with technologywithin boasting a number of keen cyclists amongst their staff, they wanted to hold an event that would appeal to their cycle loving clients and friends along with raising funds for a great cause. On the day they were joined by a host of other riders from the worlds of technology, flexible workspace and commercial real estate at the start line, on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire.

The route took in some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK with the riding group accommodating both the quicker riders and those that preferred to go at a more relaxed pace. The warm weather meant that conditions were perfect for the ride, and everyone was able to enjoy the surroundings as they sped along.

The finish line was back at technologywithin’s HQ and before they crossed it riders were treated to pitstop at a nearby New Forest country pub to discuss the ride and enjoy some well-earned refreshments.

Jon Seal, Managing Director at technologywithin said “It was great to get out and ride with our clients and colleagues. The best part of the day was seeing everyone come together for a great cause. We were delighted to be able to raise £375 for the Society of St James to help them continue the fantastic work they do helping vulnerable people across Hampshire”.

Speaking on behalf of The Society of St James, Dennis Jones said: “We would like to thank Technologywithin and all the riders for their efforts in raising money for SSJ.

“This money will go towards supporting people without a home – making huge difference to our service users.

“SSJ has a history of providing service users with the opportunity to enjoy bike rides as part of their own wellness journey and this story and the efforts by Technologywithin will also inspire our service users.

“Thank you from all at SSJ”

If your organisation would like to raise funds to support those who are vulnerable in Hampshire please contact Dennis.Jones@SSJ.org.uk

We provided the opportunity for service users to experience the thrill and excitement of a bike ride to and from Sandown, a coastal town on the east side of the island.

The trip was made possible thanks to a £4K grant from the My Journey grant, provided by Southampton City Council. And £2K from the West Quay – Hampshire & IoW Community Fund. These grants were given to help replace our existing fleet of mountain bikes, ensuring the ongoing success and benefits to our service users.

It was a very enjoyable day. It was great to go on a bike ride in a different place. It would be amazing to be given a chance to go again.

Here’s the story in the words of Ash Christopher, Re-Fit Team Leader:

“On 17th June 2021, twelve of the participants embarked on a cycling adventure to the Isle of Wight (IoW). The plan was to catch the ferry to East Cowes and then cycle to Sandown, have a swim, a bit to eat and cycle back again. A total of 35 miles. This was to be our furthest ride to date, so in preparation, we needed to build up stamina and speed to make the journey, so we completed a number of pre-IoW rides clocking ever increasing distances.

“On the day we met at 8:30am at the bike garage to make the last-minute safety and equipment checks before we left. We then set out from the garage at 9am and got to the Town Quay Red Funnel Ferry terminal by 9:20am, where we bought our tickets. By 10am we were then on board, leaving for the island. Once we disembarked in East Cowes, at 11am. We headed up York Avenue, a steep hill leading out towards Osborne House, the home of Queen Victoria, on our way to Newport to get onto the Red Squirrel Way cycle path. The total distance from East Cowes to Sandown was 16 miles, we had to climb steep hills and navigate busy roundabouts and traffic.

“Having arrived in Sandown after a 2hr cycle ride we had earned a well-deserved rest. We tucked into our packed lunches and some of us were brave enough to go for a dip in the sea. We only had 1hr before we set off on the return journey back. On the return journey we were up against the clock, needing to board the 4:30pm return ferry, in East Cowes. Everyone gave it their all, in the sun, wind and rain. We arrived with 15 minutes to spare.

“It was fantastic to see the riders come together as a group, supporting, motivating and encouraging each other, whilst sharing in this great adventure.”

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with Jay commenting that “it was a very enjoyable day. It was great to go on a bike ride in a different place. It would be amazing to be given a chance to go again.” One service-user also said that “the Isle of Wight was a memorable trip, good fun and a really nice change to cycle somewhere I’ve never been before.”

This would not have been possible without the support from My Journey Hampshire and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Fund. 

In light of this we have stopped receiving donations and thus will no longer be able to collect donated bikes as from today (7/6/21).

Re-Cycle would like to thank our supporters for the contributions they have made over the years.

We will be selling the remainder of the bikes we currently after the closing date. If you are interested in purchasing one of the remaining bikes, please email Recycle.Bikes@ssj.org.uk.

My Journey Community Grants and Southampton Council have awarded £4,000 to the Society of St James and Saints4Sport which will help pay for much-needed mountain bikes.

Saints4Sport offers vulnerable people who have been affected by complex issues the chance to enjoy sporting activities such as mountain biking through the New Forest – which helps with fitness as well as mental health.

The bikes which were being used by the team were starting to fall apart and required regular maintenance to work as they should. The new bikes mean the team will now have 10 new reliable bikes that can be used by the Saints4Sport team members on their road to recovery.

Ashley Christopher, Team Leader at Saints4Sport said: “We are delighted with this grant from MyJourney Community Grants and Southampton Council.

“Being able to purchase the new bikes means we have secured the future of our mountain biking activities which are such a benefit to the service users.

“We regularly head out on cycling activities across the south, including visits to the New Forest. We get to see the benefit this has on the service users through improved mental health and better fitness – so these bikes will play a big part in improving the lives of those who are recovering from homelessness or addictions.”

The Society of St. James Saints4Sport Project is run in partnership with the Saints Foundation and offers free educational, sport, and employment support activities to adults who are affected by the harmful impact of substance misuse, homelessness, poor mental health, and involvement with the Criminal Justice System.

Alongside the physical activities, we also offer many other opportunities for people to develop their skills and confidence, including access to training and education, with courses such as Health and Social Care, First Aid, Stewarding, Criminology, and Customer Service available.

For more information on Saints4Sport, visit: ssj.org.uk/sub-service/saints4sports/

The grant from My Journey Community Grants and Southampton Council means the team at Re-Cycle Bikes can continue refurbishing and delivering bikes to key-workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Throughout lockdown, service users at Jordan House have been collecting bikes before delivering refurbished ones to key-workers across Southampton to help them get to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-turn the service users have been gaining key skills in bike maintenance, helping improve their wellness and feeling of self-worth.

Saints4Sport and Re-Fit team leader Ashley Cristopher says: “We have been able to deliver bikes to key-workers across the south, helping them get to and from work during the coronavirus crisis, as well as helping them keep fit and improve their mental health.

“Being able to provide bikes to key-workers is something we are all proud of – and we have received great feedback from those who have received bikes.

“We are glad that we can continue to provide this service and that the skills of the service users who refurbish the bikes are being put to good use for the benefit of the local community.”

The news comes shortly after the Recycle Bikes project received a grant for a new van thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which will deliver the bikes to key workers. The previous van was prone to breaking down and caused problems for the team.

Re-Cycle Bikes

Based at Jordan House, Re-Cycle Bikes offers learning and training opportunities for our service users and volunteers from the wider community, to help grow and sustain the use of bicycles as transport.

Trained volunteers offer courses, recognized by City & Guilds, to recycle broken bikes into usable, safe, environmentally conscious transport.

Re-Cycle Bikes works in close partnership with our Re-Fit programme, as well as Hampshire Constabulary, My Journey, and many other local schools, religious organisations, and businesses.

For more information about Recycle-Bikes click here

The funding will allow volunteers at Re-Cycle Bikes, many who have experienced homelessness, to refurbish bikes – whilst socially distancing-  which will used by key workers across Southampton. This gives the volunteers a chance to provide a valuable service to the local community – as well as learning new skills which will give them confidence and a feeling of self-worth.

Once refurbished the bikes will be given to key workers, helping them make their journeys to and from work during the outbreak of coronavirus.

Helmets, locks, and lights are also provided by the Saints4Sport and Re-Cycle teams who have been funded by the Big Bike Revival (Cycling UK) and Southampton City Council to provide this service.

Since launching the project last week, more than 20 key workers, including nurses and carers, have already received a bike to help them make their journey to work.

Re-Cycle Bikes is a Southampton based bike recycling workshop that is run by volunteers. We aim to sell and services bikes at affordable prices and allow people to volunteer from both the community and via Homeless services.

For many homeless people, paid work is not an immediate option as it is too far of a jump from the chaotic nature of their current life styles. A person needs to move through a series of steps, starting with activities that have purpose and direction. This would lead on to skills and disciplines required for formal paid work. This is where the Recycle Bike work shop enables people to engage in a work place setting without the pressure of paid work. It also develops skills required for paid work.

Participation in activities can offer many benefits to people recovering from Homelessness. Activities can add structure to people’s days, helping them to develop confidence, self-esteem and social skills, as well as skill that may increase their employability and readiness for work. Activities can be instrumental in reducing feelings of boredom and loneliness and can act as a catalyst, motivating people to make positive changes. Perhaps most importantly, activities can greatly improve well-being and quality of life for individuals who may have experienced extremely traumatic events or be faced with a great deal of stress.

Case Study

Recycle has been operating within Southampton for over 9 years. In that 9 years of working within Southampton, Re-cycle has built partnerships with Sustrans, My Journey, Hampshire Police, British Red Cross, Solent University, Re-fit and Saints for Sports to name a few. 

Recycle Bikes offers learning and training opportunities for the service users of the Society of St James and volunteers from the wider community to help grow and sustain the use of bicycles as transport.

Leroy has been volunteering for the past year and has also struggled to how down a job due to his mental health. He can come and go without pressure and able to engage with support should he need it in crisis. “Volunteering at recycle bikes has saved me many times from myself and enables me be work outside on my own and focus on something I enjoy.”

Donald was initially a customer who came to the scheme to buy a bike as he had very little income. He was interested in bikes but had learning difficulties and came away from school with no qualifications and limited job opportunities. This was 5 years ago now and he is a fully CyTech trained and runs the workshop alongside the Service Manager. “I feel part of a team and it has helped my confidence with the public. I feel valued and have completed courses to gain knowledge and it’s given me a purpose in life.” 

 How you can help:

You can donate your old bikes to Re-Cycle bikes by emailing recycle.bikes@ssj.org.uk 

And if you are looking for a bike to use this year, why not buy one of the refurbished bikes and help support Re-Cycle Bikes to improve the lives of our service users.

You can also make contact by visiting their Facebook page.