Our area now has a great new social enterprise following the official opening of Bikes for Good Causes this week.

Operating out of a shop front on Wood Green High Road just opposite Lascotts Road Bikes for Good Causes owner Elliot Warren, started the business, selling safe, affordable and refurbished bikes.

Like many good ideas the plan for Bikes for Good Causes emerged in a meeting over a coffee.

Elliot met Action For Kids CEO Graham Duncan and the result was the development of an exciting new project which benefits both partners – and provides some life-changing support for participants.

Haringey based national charity Action for Kids helps people with learning difficulties find work. The shop is now creating an environment where young people with learning difficulties can work, part-time, in safe and controlled conditions. The young people also get training to develop their skills and confidence – preparing them for securing - and retaining - a job with mainstream employers.

Although the work is fixing cycles Elliot maintains "What we hope to do is help Action for Kids clients get jobs. It’s not about bike maintenance, it’s about life skills.”

If that wasn’t already smart enough, at the back of the shop is the Graff Café – a really great, relaxed café staffed by young adults with learning difficulties who have the opportunity of work placements, skills training and employment experience. The café is open all day – with a comfy sofa, tables to eat at (or work on a laptop!) and great music (from a vinyl turntable of course!) Why not pop-in and see café manager Maya and her friendly staff.

Graham Duncan pointed out that supportive local organisations will usually offer work placements for a couple of hours a week, for one person at a time – but the model operated by Bikes for Good Causes means many more young people have the chance to take part in employment support programme – meaning many more will be able to move through training and work placements into paid work.

Bikes for good causes (B4GC) is at 350 High Road, Wood Green you can support them simply by stopping by for a coffee – and by donating any unwanted bikes. The team will even come and collect any local donations – there must be several hundred unused or outgrown bikes across our area – that could become Bikes for Good Causes

An excellent local project we should all support!

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