Schoolchildren pumped up with excitement after wheelie useful bike workshop
L&Q’s Major Works partner helped schoolchildren take a ‘brake’ from their usual routine by organising a bicycle maintenance workshop.
As part of its social value commitments for L&Q, Major Works Investment Programme partner Equans UK & Ireland partnered with Community Cycleworks to deliver a ‘Fix a Bike workshop’ for students at Harlington School in Hayes.
Community Cycleworks is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes cycling to young people and their families.
Established in 2012, Community Cycleworks helps people overcome some of the common barriers and promotes cycling as a viable mode of transport that improves riders’ health and wellbeing, reduces air pollution, all while having fun.
The students were taught how to fix and maintain their bikes, including changing inner tubes, checking brakes, and fixing chains and punctures. They also encouraged students to think about the health and environmental benefits of cycling.
In addition to delivering the workshop, Equans UK & Ireland donated seven bikes as prizes for one lucky student from each form as a reward for their merit points and attendance rate.
Karen Field, Social Value Manager at Equans UK & Ireland, said:
“It was a fantastic day, enjoyed by all, and certainly caused a lot of excitement. A huge thank you to Community Cycleworks and the wonderful staff at the school for looking after us on the day.”
Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programmes at L&Q, said:
“Equans has been improving L&Q’s homes across Hillingdon and West London, delivering new roofing, kitchens, bathrooms, window replacements and energy efficiency works. As well as improving L&Q’s homes, it’s fantastic that our partners are also helping to make an impact in the communities we serve with their social value commitments.
“The children have gained really useful life skills such as being able to maintain a bicycle themselves. Our L&Q values include Inclusion, Responsibility and Impact, and this workshop helped foster all of these. Getting ‘on yer bike’ is a hobby that can be involved by all and not only has benefits by helping people to improve their own mental health and wellbeing but is also a cost-effective mode of transport that doesn't negatively impact the environment.”
Equans UK & Ireland is one of ten partners working with L&Q on its Major Works Investment Programme. This will see L&Q invest around £3bn over 15 years to improve the safety, comfort, and environmental performance of residents’ homes.
Beyond improving homes, the partnership includes social value commitments to create a lasting impact in the communities where it operates.
Learn more about Community Cycleworks.