Our Change Cycle course looks to inspire, motivate, and build the self confidence of those who take part. Designed for young people in Scotland, aged between 16-24, who are not in work, education or training, the course aims to develop key employability skills through a classroom and workshop environment.
One of our most recent courses took place at The Bike Station in Edinburgh, our long-standing delivery partner. Reflecting on the partnership with Venture Trust delivering Change Cycle, The Bike Station said:
“The Bike Station is thrilled to work alongside Venture Trust on the Change Cycle course. Like Venture Trust, we’re passionate about providing opportunities to young people and highlighting there is no wrong path to gaining skills and progressing towards a positive destination. Our joint aim is to increase health and wellbeing and improve life and employment opportunities. We know that bikes change lives and we’re proud to offer our services to help” – Kieran Power, Bike Station
This course was supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and is proudly part of the Young Persons Guarantee.
“Venture Trust has a shared commitment with Young Person’s Guarantee, to provide opportunities for 16-24 year olds to access training programmes to prepare for work. Our Change Cycle programme is now in its 6th year of delivery and has reached hundreds of young people across Scotland to develop skills, build confidence and prepare for their next steps towards employment. “– Fraser Taylor, Venture Trust Employability Manager
At The Bike Station a group of 8 young people completed and achieved their SQA Employability Qualification. During the course they built their own bikes, learning bike maintenance skills as well as cycle and road safety skills, and at the end they got to keep the bikes they had worked on.
They had opportunities to go out and ride, participating in a full day of cycling around Edinburgh, stopping at a local pump track to learn new cycle skills. Some of the young people who took part also attended our Bag A Munro fundraising event at Arthurs Seat, spending the afternoon with each other and Venture Trust staff, climbing the hill and enjoying the sunshine.
Since the completion of the Chance Cycle course, 3 young people are now following positive destinations, with 1 awaiting an interview for a trainee mechanic apprenticeship.
The next Change Cycle course is taking place on the 15th of November with the West Lothian Bike Library.
