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Prison bike repair shop aims to 'change the cycle'

Lucia Bridgeman A row of 7 bikes some suitable for children Lucia Bridgeman
Donated bikes will be repaired and refurbished by prisoners and then put up for sale

A bike shop, where prisoners and prison leavers can learn skills which will help them find work, has opened for business.

Changing the Cycle is run by charity the Oswin Project from premises in the grounds of HMP Northumberland.

Prisoners will be given training on maintaining bikes, and the public can come and buy one or get them repaired.

James Teasdale, bike shop manager and trainer, said: "We want to create a bridge between prison and life outside and give people a second chance".

Lucia Bridgeman There are 10 people pictured in front of the shop including the High Sheriff of Northumberland, Lucia Bridgeman, who is wearing a traditional hat with a feather. There are also two dogs. On the wall are signs saying Bike shop and Changing the Cycle.Lucia Bridgeman
Prisoners who work in the shop will be released on a temporary licence during the day but return to the prison at night

The project is the latest in a number run by the Oswin Project, including a cafe at Newcastle Cathedral.

The charity aims to help people with criminal records find employment, training and support.

Changing the Cycle operates by taking in pre-loved bikes donated by members of the public, which are then refurbished and repaired before being sold to prison staff and people in the local area.

Any revenue will be used to fund the project.

"This area of Northumberland doesn't have very much in the way of bike shops," Mr Teasdale explained, "and we've got a full range, from kids' bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes."

Prisoners will be able to work on a temporary licence which means they can leave the prison during the day, and the charity hopes to work with three people at any one time, which would rotate every six months.

Lucia Bridgeman The photograph shows the interior of a workshop with lots of tools hanging on the walls and other pieces of equipment on the floor.Lucia Bridgeman
The bike shop can also carry out repairs and servicing on most bikes

The bike shop is next door to Growing Out, a farm shop which opened in 2023 which sells baked goods, fruit and vegetables grown and produced inside the prison.

"All the prisoners tell us the one thing they need most when they get out is a job," Mr Teasdale said.

"Many people who leave prison end up going back inside because they have so few opportunities to build a new life for themselves.

"Breaking that cycle helps them and makes our communities safer," he added.

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