Homeless Bike Workshop

Occasionally I get people emailing asking me to forward things on to you all, and mostly I say no... but this time it's a yes:

Hi,

I have only recently registered with LondonFGSS but I was hoping to post a quick link about a homeless bike workshop im running with a charity. I dont yet have the previlidges to do so- would it be possible for an admin to post the message in the forum or perhaps grant me as a one off.

Many Thanks

Joseph Harrington
Margins Project Fundraiser

Here is the thread:

Hello Folks

If any of you fine young ladies and gents have any old bikes/frames lying around that you no longer want, heres the chance to send them to a good home!

The Margins Project ( http://www.marginsproject.org/ ) is soon running a workshop for homeless people in bike building, maintenance and cycle road safety. The course will be run with http://www.gobybike.org.uk/ .

We need bikes for each homeless volunteer to work on, learn how to maintain and rebuild. At the end of the course each person will get to keep their bike and be given a short course on road safety.

We can come pick bikes up in London area only

Email fundraiser(at)unionchapel(dot)org(dot)uk for any questions or to arrange pick up.

good work VB

Thanks for the post VB, very kind of you to put it up for me.

good post VB, glad you let things like this go, ahead.

How convenient, I have a peugeot from the 90s (not worth any attention boys) which is begging for a new home.

How convenient, I have a peugeot from the 90s (not worth any attention boys) which is begging for a new home.

Sounds great- drop me an email and we can arrange collection- the project is based in Islington- Near Highbury Corner.

Cheers

Ok, well this saturday, I'm going to pick up some tweed at chalk farm, could meet around there? I'll be on the tube and the bike is barely rideable (restorable though :), it's just a bit loose)

I cant do this weekend- (really sorry)

We are not running the course until March so plenty of time- I can come pick up if it will be easier, dont want to give you any hassle.

Cheers

Well give me a date and I'll leave it outside of Gloucester Road Station. There are bike racks near it where I can just leave it unlocked.

not sure this deserves its own thread so will add here
http://www.twilightearth.com/2009/01/innovative-mobile-shelter-gives-dignity-back-to-homeless-in-los-angeles/

interesting bike related homeless help

great idea. I got odds and sods and can help out if needed.

Jo Harrington. you got a big brother Tom?

Philjay, how about next tuesday? I could come up to the tube station in the morning, say Ten'ish? If its easier, be happy to pick it up sometime next week.

Cheers Greasy! No big brother as i know of! Drop me an email if you want to give us some stuff- be great. The workshop is launching in March, so plenty of time!

knowthejo

I've got a full suspension 21 speed mtb that is really quite shit and in a number of pieces. It's just kicking around and generally getting in the way at my flat in Stoke Newington.

Most of the parts are there and just need gluing back together. Think it's missing a saddle and seat post and a few cables, but the rest should work with a bit of attention.

Please take it away and make it live again, I really don't need it as I've forgotten what gears are for and the full body suspension makes me feel slightly icky when I look at it.

I also have a bmx frame, forks and rear wheel that need a new home.

Of course I could have just pm'd you that.

Philjay, how about next tuesday? I could come up to the tube station in the morning, say Ten'ish? If its easier, be happy to pick it up sometime next week.

Cheers Greasy! No big brother as i know of! Drop me an email if you want to give us some stuff- be great. The workshop is launching in March, so plenty of time!

How about a week-end? I'm busy everyday till saturday at 1pm.

Superb, I'm sitting at my brother's, across the road from the Union Chapel right now, and I have an old Dawes rust bucket I found in a skip to donate. Thanks :-)

When are you there knowthejo? I'll just pop it over in the week (mornings around 8.30-9.00am best for me)...

Thanks for the messages guys.

Philjay- weekends are difficult as i live south of the River and Im only at the Project twice a week. Any chance of Tuesday/Wednesday this week? Could do first thing in the morning if its on your way to work?

Cheers Jar, sound great. If you go to the back door of the Union Chapel on COmpton Avenue and ring the buzzer, someone should be there- say you have something for Joe and the Margins project and leave it with them.
Cheers

Thanks Joe I'll sort that out.

This may sound like an awful question but where would the homeless person keep his or her new bike?
How would these new skills help in terms of them being able to make some cash? (I can understand it would help in terms of self-esteem / something to do / new skills for emplyment etc). I'm just paranoid about folk who really need ready cash being able to strip my bike quicker, if I'm honest. I don't mean to sound like a wanker, I'm sure this is really good for homeless people, but I can't help being concerned a little too. I don't think all homeless people are thieves, or anything like that, and I'm not some kind of hang 'em NeoCon, so, please, let's not go there anyone ;)

Thanks, and apologies in advance if I'm coming over offensive, it's gone 3am and I've just finished a 20 hour work day, so I may not be as articulate or sensitive with words as I could be. I also see the work you do there, because I stay across the road a lot (and I can see that door and the action around it from my brother's window) and I applaud it.

Hi Jar,

I feel your concerns! I have had a few too many bikes, saddles, wheels and even cranksets nicked in the past!

However, I think it is a very very small percentage of homeless people who are involved in bike crime, if any. The people who will be attending the course, are part of our volunteering scheme and therefore we have been working with them for some time. Training is very significant and factors such as those you pointed out- self-esteem etc, are very important in helping to move poeple away from addiction issues and other factors that may push them to committing crime.

But dont take my word for it, come and visit on a Sunday! We always welcome people to come and hang out and have a chat with guests. Or if you fancy helping out for an afternoon with the bike course, you would again be more than welcome.

Tell you what, I'll leave the bike at the station in the morning unlocked outside of Gloucester Road Station. I'll send you a picture first so you know exactly what it looks like. Just give me a day and it should be there by 8am. It's just I can't hang about but being a nice area no one is gonna steal it.

Thats great, how about next Thursday(29th)? i will probably have to head down and get it in around lunch time. If I cant take it down with me, i will just lock it up until I can come down. Thanks

Hi Jar,

I feel your concerns! I have had a few too many bikes, saddles, wheels and even cranksets nicked in the past!

However, I think it is a very very small percentage of homeless people who are involved in bike crime, if any. The people who will be attending the course, are part of our volunteering scheme and therefore we have been working with them for some time. Training is very significant and factors such as those you pointed out- self-esteem etc, are very important in helping to move poeple away from addiction issues and other factors that may push them to committing crime.

But dont take my word for it, come and visit on a Sunday! We always welcome people to come and hang out and have a chat with guests. Or if you fancy helping out for an afternoon with the bike course, you would again be more than welcome.

Also, 'homeless' can mean people who don't have what's known as 'secure accomodation' such as those living in B&Bs: not only people who are sleeping rough are homeless.

very true, thanks Skully. The issue of homelessness is very complex. The Margins project works with what we define as 'vulnerable' people and those in-crisis.For a more detailed analysis of the issue of our guest group you can download an excellent piece of research by the New Philanthropy Capital click here.

Any further questions are welcome and as stated anyone is welcome to visit the project.

Hi Jo,

I quite enjoy a bit of the old bike mechanics and help out with the Dr Bike workshops at Tower Hamles LCC. I'm happy to help out Margins for a afternoon or two, even if it's just standing around looking at old bikes and making tea for everyone

Thanks Joe, Skully,
May well pop in and say hello,
Best,
Jar :)