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Westminster Wheels programme

Westminster Wheels offers a paid six month programme in cycle mechanics to people aged 17+.

If you’re 17+ and looking at building a new skill that is in high demand, Westminster Wheels offers a paid six month programme in cycle mechanics.

What is Westminster Wheels?

Westminster Wheels is training programme which helps Westminster residents not in education or employment to gain the skills and experience to become qualified bicycle mechanics. 

The programme has been initiated by Westminster Council and delivered in partnership with Groundwork and Cycle Confident. Participants receive accredited training from an experienced bicycle mechanic followed by a guaranteed job with Westminster Wheels for six months, paid at London Living Wage.

Impact of the project to date

To date, the project has helped over 35 unemployed residents into training and employment transforming unwanted bikes into high-quality, affordable bikes for Westminster residents.

Since our shop opened in Church Street in March 2021, our team of mechanics have been busy refurbishing bikes and to date we have donated 80 bikes to the Community. As we receive more bikes we will continue to donate to community groups, like the Tell it Parent’s Network, which has started a Women’s cycling group:

Thank you to Westminster Wheels for the women’s bikes donated to us.

We can now start up our cycling group and share the bikes between participants.

Apply here

If you are 17 and over, get involved in building your Westminster Wheels career.
Complete our form to find out more.

 

How can I support the project?

  1. Donate a bike: if you have an unused or unwanted bike, please consider donating it to Westminster Wheels to help build this cause and continue to transform people's lives through this project. To donate a bike please drop off at our shop 41-45 Church Street between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday. Alternatively donate online.
  2. Bike repairs, servicing and purchasing a bike: come and see our trainees at work, visit the shop at 41-45 Church Street, NW8 8ES between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday. The shop has bikes for adults and children and the team can undertake repairs and servicing. Buying a second-hand bike from the project helps to re-use old bikes, it reduces energy consumption and your carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and the distributing new bikes. All bikes for sale are checked by experienced and qualified mechanics.

Sponsoring Westminster Wheels

If you are interested in sponsoring the project, which could include sponsoring a London living wage work placement, sponsoring a refurbished bike to donate to our community, or sponsoring bike servicing vouchers for low income families, please contact [email protected]

Find out more by downloading our brochure:

Document

Our partners

This programme is funded by Westminster City Council, with generous support from our sponsors Capita, Grosvenor, Howard de Walden Estate, Ecoworld, RMG, Vital Energi, Wates, EcoWorld, Westminster Community Homes, H.A. Marks. and our main bike donors MET Police and Veolia. The project is delivered by Cycle Confident and Groundwork London.

Visit us

Our newly open workshop is located at 41-45 Church Street, Westminster, NW8 8ES. To get in touch please call 0203 302 7767.

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Published: 28 January 2021

Last updated: 10 August 2023