Six-year-old Karlos Dearman’s future is looking much brighter than he might previously have imagined. "I’ve always been into bikes, but never thought I’d end up working with them," he says. "This scheme has changed my life. "
Karlos is learning to refurbish (翻新) old bicycles in the workshop of ReCycle Bikes, a local community charity in Sheffield, which has a contract with the city council to provide training opportunities for young people aged 14 to 16, particularly those struggling in mainstream education or excluded from school.
"It’s about engaging youngsters with education and youth training by teaching them work and life skills," explains Des Pearce, workshop training manager. "These young people have so much potential, but often don’t realize it."
Established in 2001, ReCycle Bikes repairs bicycles donated by the public, which, once restored, are sold for ￡20. Abandoned bikes supplied by the council ensure a steady flow of bikes, but a recently formed partnership with Sheffield University should improve further the prospects of the young mechanics.
"The student population presents a large and ready market," says Pearce. "So we approached the university last year and offered to host bike sales on the campus. They thought it was a great idea, and agreed to supplement our council funding. This means we can train youngsters to repair extra 500 bikes over three years, and fund Karlos’s apprenticeship."
Having set up ReCycle Bikes on his own, Pearce now has the staff and resources to track the career development of those who have passed through his workshop.
"At the moment we depend on anecdotal evidence from the schools," he says. "But we are planning exit interviews with the young people to ascertain what they plan to do, and these will allow us to check on their progress."
That most of the agers enjoy the work is, according to Pearce, easily explained. "Most kids have ridden a bike and know how to oil a chain or mend a puncture. As low-cost transport, cycling gives the young and old a sense of and independence, and the impact on their well-being is immense. Add to that a growing concern for the environment, and it’s no surprise that bike sales are on the increase. \
What do we know about ReCycle Bikes