Young people will continue to help run the project as a business using skills such as marketing, business, administration and mechanics. All profits returned to Changing Gearz to maintain financial stability. The Project has been set up as a cycle project which aims to train young people in bike maintenance and repair and cycle training. Young people must be 11-19 years old and meet the NEETs agenda to get involved.
Bikes
The Changing Gearz Project evolved as part of the LIFT/CODI Youth Project within Blaenau Gwent; Caerphilly and Torfaen based in Griffithstown, Pontypool.
Changing Gearz is part of Torfaen County Borough Council and proceeding with initial funding from the Lift/Codi programme further funding from Welsh and Westminster governments assisted in financing the project.
Qualifications for Young People
The project uses bikes and cycling as a theme within which to work with, the harder to reach young people in Torfaen. Young people can work in very small groups or one-to-one, with qualified cycle mechanics, learn new skills and achieve qualifications, go out on bike leadership activities, develop their confidence and build positive relationships; with the main aim of helping the individual progress successfully within or into employment, education or training.
Developing confidence & helping to build positive relationships
Reuse & Recycle
The project also helps the community to recycle bikes and bike parts instead of them ending up in landfills. In addition, the project is looking to develop ways of using any leftover cycle parts as part of an Arts project with young people looking at creating sculptures, clocks, seats and more.
