Meeting the growing demand for bikes amongst refugees and people seeking asylum is the biggest ongoing challenge for our charity. Yet, thousands of bikes across the UK remain unused in sheds and stairwells, just waiting for new owners to give them a second life.
Our task is to collect these bikes and bring them to our workshops in London and Birmingham for refurbishment.
That’s where you can make a difference — by becoming a Drop-off Point for The Bike Project!
WHAT IS A DROP-OFF POINT?
A Drop-off Point is a volunteer-run location that is set up to receive donations of unwanted bikes from members of the public.
We have a fantastic network of these across the country but are always on the lookout for volunteers to open new locations, so we can receive more bikes and make the donation process more convenient for our bike donors.
Our team of Drop-off Volunteers is critical in enabling us to provide over 2000 bikes per year to refugees and people seeking asylum across the UK. So please join us in this essential work by setting up a Drop-off Point in your area!
WHAT WILL I NEED?
- A good location: Anywhere that can be accessed by the public. This could be a place of worship, community centre, business premises/office, local school, shop or even a residential garage/private garden.
- Space: Enough room to comfortably and securely store at least 15 bikes (we can help advise on the ‘securely’ bit).
- Point-of-Contact: Someone to manage incoming donations and communicate with our programmes team – that’s you!
Some Drop-off Points prefer consistent opening times (e.g. Monday afternoons only), whereas others require each bike donor to schedule their visit in advance. - A strong voice in your community: The skills and presence to engage with people and promote your Drop-off Point in your local area.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
By opening up a Drop-off Point you will become a vital step in The Bike Project’s mission to reduce transport poverty amongst our community of bike recipients. Access to a bike can make a significant difference to our recipients’ physical and mental wellbeing, and we will keep you updated on the impact of all the bikes you collect for us.
Our current Drop-off Point volunteers also enjoy a range of additional benefits that come with supporting our cause in this way…
- Sustainability goals. You could help save hundreds of unwanted bikes from landfill, contributing to a more circular economy.
- Community engagement and networking. Hosting a Drop-off Point can be a fantastic way to get to know your local community and meet like-minded individuals, build local connections and/or form partnerships with other organisations in your area.
- Business Exposure. If you run a business, hosting a Drop-off Point could be a fantastic way to drive footfall and attract new customers to your premises.
- Corporate social responsibility. Running a Drop-off Point could help you reach your organisation’s CSR goals.
- Youth leadership. Schools and youth centres can turn a Drop-off Point into a practical, student-led project; giving your young people an opportunity to develop leadership skills and understand the benefits of socially responsible action.
POP-UP DROP-OFF POINTS
Want to help but don’t think you have the time or space? Why not try hosting a Pop-Up Drop-Off Point?
A Pop-Up works like a regular Drop-off Point but is open for a shorter period—usually anywhere from an afternoon to a full week, rather than on a long-term basis. We’ll arrange to collect the bikes as soon as possible after the event, so you won’t need to store them for long.
The success of a Pop-Up often hinges on your ability to spread the word and rally your local community to collect as many bikes as possible in a short time. It’s perfect if you enjoy a challenge!
If you’re thinking about becoming a regular Drop-off Point, a Pop-Up is a great way to test the waters before making a full commitment.