School children across Staffordshire are set to receive refurbished and ready to use bikes thanks to a partnership between the county council, HM Prison service and cycling and motoring retailer Halfords.
Tower View Primary School in Burton was recently presented with 19 bikes from the council’s waste and recycling team and HMP representatives.
Staffordshire County Council’s household waste recycling team is now donating used bikes from its centres to HMP Drake Hall, which coordinates a renovation programme guided by Halfords with women prisoners in Staffordshire. The prisoners gain a technical qualification through the programme and the bikes are ready to use again.
Renovated bikes are being given to school children, people who have recently gained employment or training through the county council’s employment and skills team - helping them get to work in a cost effective and convenient way - and county care leavers.
People can take their used bikes to any of Staffordshire’s household waste recycling centres. Bikes which are not renovated completely will be stripped of useable parts for others or sold at the regular Rescue Me pop up bike sales. The proceeds of these sales are evenly split. Half is donated to a charity supporting the event and half being used to purchase helmets, lights and locks which are gifted with the renovated bikes.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Connectivity which includes waste management, said:
This partnership with Halfords and HM Prison service is fantastic as we’re recycling bikes to use again for children and young people in Staffordshire.
It means they can obtain good quality bikes, renovated to a high standard by the prison service teams, helping them to be active and get to school or work more easily. In addition, those involved at Drake Hall can learn valuable new skills which can help them on release.
Together we’re demonstrating how we can reduce waste and recycle in a way that’s beneficial to everyone. I’d also like to thank Halfords for working with local communities as a responsible retailer.”
Janet Higgins, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, said:
It’s great to see how our services are providing these bikes free of charge to encourage young people in our schools or who are entering the world of work to be active and have cost saving transport if they need it.
The scheme demonstrates how effective joint working across our services can really benefit our communities and support their day-to-day living. This is in addition to working collaboratively with other organisations and businesses. We’re proud to be able to find innovative ways to support schools and young people.”
Paul Motum, instructional officer from Halfords Academy, said:
I’m proud to be involved in the scheme and a successful partnership with Staffordshire County Council.
The initiative, supported by Halfords enables our women serving custodial sentences at HMP Drake Hall to showcase their skills they have learned during their time in the Halfords Academy workshop. This is a fantastic opportunity to maintain and develop new partnerships alongside contributing to sustainability projects.
The bikes we receive from Staffordshire household waste recycling centres are fully serviced to Halfords industry leading standards. These bikes are then returned and charities in the local communities can benefit.”
Phil Donnelly, industries manager at HMP Drake Hall, said:
At HMP Drake Hall, sustainability is integral to everything we do, and this partnership demonstrates the real impact that environmentally responsible initiatives can have. By refurbishing donated bicycles alongside Halfords, our women not only gain valuable technical skills and qualifications, but they also contribute directly to reducing waste and extending the life of vital resources.
This programme shows how sustainable practice and rehabilitation can go hand in hand, supporting greener communities while helping people in our care build confidence, purpose, and brighter futures. We’re proud to play our part in a circular economy model that benefits local residents, employers, and the environment alike.”
