A free five-day course teaching young people how to maintain and repair bikes – and pointing them towards a career as a professional bike mechanic – is launching in Earlestown this October.
The course is run by the Earlestown Cycle Project, based on Back Bridge Street, and is open to anyone aged 18 to 21 who is not currently in education, employment or training (NEET). Places are free, and participants who complete the course even get to keep a bike for themselves at the end of it.
What does the course cover?
Over five days, participants learn how to fix and maintain bikes, gain an insight into what it is like to work as a professional bike mechanic, and develop other practical life and employability skills to help them take the next step – whether that is finding work, starting an apprenticeship or moving into further training.
As well as hands-on bike skills, the course is designed to build confidence and give young people the chance to meet new people in a supportive environment.
Funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has made it possible to offer the courses free of charge.
The project is planning to run courses throughout the rest of this year and into next. As well as the intensive five-day format, one-day sessions spread over five weeks will also be available – giving young people with other commitments the chance to take part too.
About the Earlestown Cycle Project
If you have not come across the Earlestown Cycle Project before, we featured it when it first opened in 2024. It is run by The Cycle Project UK CIC, which set up its first project in Hindley before bringing the initiative to Earlestown in partnership with the Rebuild with Hope Foundation – a charity known for supporting people who face barriers to employment.
As well as running these skills courses, the project takes donations of old and unwanted bikes, refurbishes them and sells them on at affordable prices, with all proceeds reinvested into the project.
How to find out more
To find out more about the October course or to express interest in a place, get in touch with the Earlestown Cycle Project directly at Earlestown@thecycleproject.co.uk or visit thecycleproject.co.uk.