Life Cycle launches recycling initiative in HMP Bullingdon

Life Cycle is opening its Bikes Beyond Bars programme in HMP Bullingdon, increasing the charity’s prisoner education project currently underway in both HMP Bristol and HMP Fosse Way. Prisoners receive training on how to restore and refurbish donated bikes, which are quality checked and resold to the community.

Prisoners benefit from gaining practical mechanical skills and hands-on experience in a professional workshop, working towards a Cytech certification, the international industry-recognised accreditation for bike mechanics, increasing their chances of employment at the end of their sentence.

Communities benefit from reliable, affordable, and sustainable local transport options which are provided by the prisoners’ handy work, whilst the prisoners receive self-confidence from their hard work and a renewed sense of direction.

Emmet, HMP Bristol, said: “I’m much more confident in myself. I can focus better. I feel great, I stuck to it and achieved my goal. I want to work in the bike industry. It would be a great achievement.”

Great Western Railway’s (GWR) Customer and Community Improvement Fund has provided Life Cycle a grant for the work as part of GWR’s National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport. GWR provides support to schools, colleges, councils, communities, and other not-for-profit organisations.

The funding has enabled Life Cycle to establish its latest initiative. It’s a full-time four week programme, culminating in a final assessment to receive a qualification. This provides prisoners with a Cytech technical one qualification and provides a solid foundation in cycling mechanics.

Ed Norton, Life Cycle’s CEO, said: “Our work isn’t just about teaching bike mechanics, it’s about opening doors. Thanks to the support of Cytech and GWR, we’re helping people build practical skills, gain confidence, and take meaningful steps towards a better future. It’s a collaboration that’s genuinely changing lives.”
Eight prisoners will be selected from the programme, with one of two orderly positions available upon completion. Soft skills such as organisation, responsibility, and cleaning will be developed as part of the course through mentorship.

Emma Morris, GWR senior community impact manager, said: “The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in our communities in projects that really make a difference at a local level. We’re delighted to support Life Cycle’s initiative, which will help people not only develop new skills that can benefit them in the future, but also serves to promote affordable, sustainable travel, which brings so much to the wider community.”