2017

Added: 19th October 2022

NOVEMBER 2017
Dave Meadows, Bike Project Co-ordinator at St Joseph’s Approved premises has followed up the recent success of the MCF Bradford Bikery by also winning an award. Dave has won the HMPPS Choice Award at the 2017 ESF Award Ceremony.

Dave was nominated for the award after a visit from Andy Cole, the Operational Performance Manager for HMPPS. Both Andy and his colleagues were very impressed with the work Dave has been doing at St Josephs, and in particular they commended Dave’s patience and understanding when working with individuals with mental health issues. Andy felt that this, and the semi-outdoor conditions of the workshop at St Josephs were particularly deserving of recognition and therefore nominated Dave for the award.

“It was quite an honour to win the HMPPS Choice award at the 2017 ESF Award Ceremony in recognition of my work for the Margaret Carey Foundation at St Josephs Approved Premesis. I enjoy the work I do and it’s always good to receive some positive recognition.”

Manjit Maude, Senior Probation Officer at St Joseph’s says: “Dave is very much part of team at St Joseph’s and his knowledge, skills and experience are valued by the team and residents alike. He brings a professional approach to his work and engages our residents to ensure good outcomes. He always communicates in a timely manner with staff and ensures relevant information is passed on.”

The ceremony was held at the Mercure Piccadilly hotel in Manchester city centre on 23 October and was attended by partners of the European Social Fund from all over the country.

AWARD WINNING BRADFORD BIKERY
OCTOBER 2017
We are delighted to announce that the MCF Bradford Bikery has won a Cycling UK award. The MCF Bradford Bikery was awarded National winner best group achievement.

MCF Bradford Bikery joining forces with Capital of Cycling provided practical help and support to asylum seekers and refugees in Bradford through their “Cycling to Sanctuary” initiative. During the Big Bike Revival the MCF Bradford Bikery gave away over 100 bikes that had been refurbished in MCF prison workshops. Some of the recipients are in absolute transport poverty so a bike can be a crucial tool. They also provide group activities, bike repair and organised rides, giving people positive experience and helping them integrate into the local community

The awards were presented at the Cycling UK Conference in Birmingham on Saturday 7 October. Pictured is MCF Bradford Bikery volunteer Rebecca Wedderburn with Chris Boardman.

ILKLEY WHARFEDALE ROTARY CLUB COLLECTION DAY SUCCESS
OCTOBER 2017
On Saturday 30 September the Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale organised a recycling day in Ilkley town centre. They collected a variety of items to be refurbished including bikes for Margaret Carey Foundation workshops.

The day was a terrific success with 102 bikes collected for MCF as well as sewing machines, spectacles, workshop equipment, tools and wheelchairs to be refurbished by other organisanisations.

Margaret Carey Foundation would like to thank the Rotarians for all their hard work in again organising a fantastic collection day and all the members of the public who donated items.

The fantastic amount of bikes collected by the rotarians means our workshops will be supplied for a while but we are always happy to take donations of unwanted bikes as we have plenty of storage space. If you would like to donate a bike please call 07874 627801 or email Helen

Read the full article on the Ilkley Gazette website.

WHEELCHAIR RECYCLING MAKES NHS CASE STUDY
AUGUST 2017
Since the start of 2017 old wheelchairs from Airedale Hospital in Steeton, West Yorkshire have been donated to the Margaret Carey Foundation.

The wheelchairs, were refurbished several times before being replaced by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust when they were then taken to HMP Garth Prison in Chorley where they are stripped down, rebuilt and repaired in the MCF prison workshop.

Once refurbished the wheelchairs were distributed by our partner charity PhysioNet transports in countries including Fiji, Ghana, Benin, Swaziland and South Africa.

Michelle West, mobility services manager at the trust, said its wheelchairs were always refurbished several times before being replaced and would otherwise be scrapped if they weren’t donated to the scheme.

A steady supply of wheelchairs to refurbish and donate benefited both charities and helped reduce the cost to the NHS of scrapping the equipment and it was always hoped that other health services in the region would get involved in the initiative.

The successful recycling partnership between the Margaret Carey Foundation, PhysioNet and Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Mobility Services has been submitted as case study to the NHS Sustainable Devlopment Unit. The SDU is a national resource for NHS (and public) and they are very keen to hear from any organisations promoting re-use and recycling. The SDU is also the body regulating NHS bodies towards the carbon emissions and sustainability targets and hopefully this could be the next step to more health services setting up a similar scheme.

The link to the full case study is here

NEW BIKE WORKSHOP AT ASHWORTH HOSPITAL
JULY 2017
Improving opportunities and employability is one of the steps towards recovery and Mersey Care shares this mission with the Margaret Carey Foundation.

Patients at Ashworth Hospital are working with the Margaret Carey Foundation and have co-produced their own course to inspire skill development and meaningful activity refurbishing cycles.

Ashworth Hospital is for patients who require treatment and care in conditions of high security, it is not a prison but many of its patients have come from that environment. Ashworth provides recovery focused treatment for patients and staff.

The two are working together to improve life chances for people locally and around the world. Patients are developing a positive work ethic, gaining useful skills and becoming better prepared for employment as they move on in their recovery.

Tracy Mcadam, recovery team leader at Ashworth Hospital said: “When patients are admitted to Ashworth Hospital, some are at a really low point and learning new skills can be difficult but we all work to encourage people to try something new.

Now there is such a buzz around the hospital we had 14 sign up for the course before it had been advertised! Some are very unwell but have the full support and encouragement from the team of staff around them to take part.

“A staff member was interested in cycles as he is a qualified Velotech instructor, others will be visiting local prisons for training and we hope to encourage patients to become instructors to their peers.”

“We hope this is a chance to give something back, develop a skill that matters, that can be used outside the hospital, there is definitely a feel good factor about this”.

MCF BIKES IN SIERRA LEONE
MAY 2017
Refurbished bikes are distributed all over the world via the partner charities we work with. We always feedback to trainees in the prison workshops to reinforce the value of the work they are doing and highlighting what a difference a bike can make to someone’s life.

We were delighted to hear two stories from people in Sierra Leone who have received bikes via the Village Bike Project. Bikes are refurbished in our workshops at HMP Humber and HMP Lindholme which are collected and distributed by the Avenues Bicycle Project who send them on to the Village Bike Project in Sierra Leone. The village bike project distribute the bikes to individuals in Sierra Leone and also run bike workshops so that beneficiaries are able to maintain their own bikes once they receive them. Karim Kamara from the Village Bike Project visited two of the beneficiaries to find out if the bikes had made a difference to their lives.

Mafereh Kanu is a student of the saint Augustine agricultural institute lungai. She is 23 years old,She received her bicycle three months ago, from the village bicycle project in Sierra Leone. Yesterday the team visited Mafereh at lungi to get some small interview from her to know how she is using here bicycles.

What is the bast part about having a bike? ” The best part is that,I am now more mobile and frequent in school. I get to my school faster, before I use to walk 6 miles everyday or some times I pay Le 10 for a motorbike ride which equivalent to $1.50. But since I have this bike, it helps me save time and money” Here bicycle is still in good working conditions, bearing breaks gears are still in good shape. She is really taking good care of her bike because it saves her time and money.

Mr peter is a Teacher of the saint Augustine school, he is 40 years of age. He received his bicycle three months ago from the village bicycle project in Sierra Leone. Mr peter is an agricultu teacher and also he is an agriculturist, he use to plant rice and crops. The village bicycle project team visited him yesterday to get a small interview with him.

My first question is to ask him what is the important of having a bike. ” The best part is that, I am saving time and money and it brings sustainability in my family. Before is used to wake up 5am in the morning before going to school to visit my farm before going to school. But since I have this bike, now I wake up 7am in the morning to visit my Farm after that I go to school. My bike has been most useful in the sense that I use it more than 10 miles everyday, if I compare my expenses before when I don’t have a bike. Befor 60% of my salary is going in transportation, but now I don’t even spend even 1% of my salary in transportation” Big thanks to Village Bike Project and their partners for making this happen, I hope they send more bicycles so that other people can also save time and money like me.

MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA TO RAISE FUNDS FOR MCF
MAY 2017
On Saturday 8 July Chordiality are putting on a choir concert to raise funds for the Margaret Carey Foundation.

The evening also includes a performance by special guests , Steeton Male Voice Choir.

Tickets cost £15 each which includes refreshments.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and is being held at

Bradford Grammar School

Keighley Road

Bradford

BD9 4JP

Tickets are available directly from Chordiality members, call: 07949 696064

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE 2017
APRIL 2017
The Tour De Yorkshire will be speeding through Yorkshire from 28-30 April and MCF is all geared up to celebrate the occasion.

We are delighted to have a team of 15 cyclists taking part in the official Maserati Yorkshire Sportive on Sunday 30 April, starting and finishing at Fox Valley, Sheffield.

Our Team MCF cyclists will be completing challenging, hilly routes of either 50, 75 or 100km to raise funds for the Margaret Carey Foundation. If you would like to support any of them, here are a few of the cyclists with links to their sponsorship pages

They have all trained hard for the event and any additional sponsorship raised will give them the boost they need to get them over the finish line.

Sponsor Team Lindholme

5 cyclists from HMP Lindholme led by workshop instructor Dave Clarke, completing the 100km route

Sponsor MCF Bikery Mechanic John Hyde completing the 100km route

Sponsor MCF Trustee, Meic Bruton, completing the 100km route

Sponsor MCF Bikery, Volunteer Mechanic Elliot Jay, completing the 50km route.

Sponsor MCF supporters Tony Farrer, Nick Lisle and Katie Jennings.

We wish all our cyclists the best of luck in the sportive (including the ones not mentioned above who don’t have online sponsorship pages) and hope it is an exhilerating and rewarding experience for you all.

Tour De Yorkshire Vintage Bike Display

Day 3 of the Tour De Yorkshire sets of from the centre of Bradford in City Park. MCF have provided refurbished bikes for a vintage display in the former Forsters Bistro, a fantastic venue within City Park. This display will form part of an exhibition celebrating the history of cycling which takes place during the Tour De Yorkshire. MCF bikes will also be on display in the Bradford Capital of Cycling hub in Hall Ings, Bradford. Students from the nearby Forsters college will be researching the history of the vintage bikes and making a display with help from local artist Tim Curtis.

YORKSHIRE BANK BIKE LIBRARY LAUNCHES IN SHIPLEY
MARCH 2017
Children living in Shipley and the surrounding area will be able to ride a bike for free following the launch of a new Yorkshire Bank Bike Library at the MCF Bikery in Shipley at 4.00pm on Thursday 23 March 2017.

The bike library will offer free bike loans for children and families, as well as bike safety advice, and affordable bike repairs and servicing, and led rides.

Old and unwanted bikes can be also donated at the library where prisoners will clean and repair them to a high standard before they are loaned out to children and families who don’t have bikes of their own.

Helen Rowlands, MCF Development Manager, said: “We’re really excited about opening a Yorkshire Bank Bike Library here in Shipley. It’s a fantastic way for people who don’t have a bike to try one out and see if they like it without spending any money.”

The scheme is sponsored by Yorkshire Bank and run in collaboration with Welcome to Yorkshire’s cycling initiative, Cycle Yorkshire.

It aims to give every child in Yorkshire access to a bike and sees unwanted bikes donated at one of the county’s 51 donation stations, where they are then repaired and available to hire free of charge.

Since the first Yorkshire Bank Bike Library opened last year, 36 have launched across the county, while more than 36,000 chances to ride a bike have been offered to children and nearly 5,000 bikes have been donated.

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries is a truly unique scheme launched as a legacy of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire, designed to give every child in Yorkshire access to a bike, regardless of their circumstances.

“I am delighted to see a new bike library launching in Shipley. We’re really excited to bring stage three of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire through the area on Sunday, April 30 and hope it will inspire the next generation of cyclists to discover the joy of riding a bike for themselves.”

Helen Page, Propositions and Marketing Director at Yorkshire Bank, said: “We are delighted to support the set-up of additional Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries across the county. Giving more children an opportunity to have access to a bike is something we feel passionately about.”

For more information, visit bikelibraries.yorkshire.com

WELLNESS CENTRE ADOPTS MCF AS CHARITY OF THE YEAR FOR 2017
FEBRUARY 2017

The Shipley and Saltaire Wellness Centre have chosen to support the Margaret Carey Foundation as their Charity of the Year 2017.

The Wellness Centre has been open for 3 years and has chosen to support the Margaret Carey Foundation for a whole year. The centre has a good history of supporting local causes having raised over £10, 000 since their opening, through a variety of events including a sponsored bike ride along the Leeds to Liverpool Canal last July.

David and Nicola Procter, who run the Wellness Centre, first came across the MCF Bikery when they were completing their sponsored Leeds – Liverpool canal bike ride in July 2016. Some of the customers of the Wellness Centre who took part in the challenge bought their bikes from the MCF Bikery in Shipley. MCF ran a bike maintenance session for the participants to help them check their bikes were in good working order and teach them to make any basic repairs that they might need to deal with whilst on their cycle challenge.

The Wellness Centre are planning various fundraising activities for the Margaret Carey Foundation throughout the year starting with a collecting tin on the counter with a virtual bike ride around the charities projects later this year. The Margaret Carey Foundation has guaranteed places in the Maserati Tour De Yorkshire Sportive and are hoping that there will be some riders from the Wellness Centre.

David Procter says: “we have been very impressed with the work they do, they’ve helped us in the past and they are a local charity to us too”

For details of the Shipley and Saltaire Wellness Centre go to: shipleysaltairewellnesscentre.co.uk

Thanks to the Wellness for adopting MCF as their charity of the year, we’ll keep everyone updated with progress and news of events.

FUNDRAISING FOLK EVENING
FEBRUARY 2017

On Friday 7th April The Wild Geese will be putting on a folk evening at The Octagon, Keighley, to raise funds for MCF.

Irish folk artist James Garvey will also be performing with further acts to be added to the line-up.

Tickets cost £7 and can be bought from the MCF Bikery, Shipley or online

Book Early to avoid disappointment!

OLD AIREDALE HOSPITAL WHEELCHAIRS GIVEN NEW LIFE THANKS TO MCF
JANUARY 2017
OLD wheelchairs from Airedale Hospital are being recycled to help poverty-stricken disabled people overseas.

The wheelchairs, some of them up to 17 years old, are taken to HMP Garth Prison in Chorley where they are stripped down, rebuilt and repaired in the MCF prison workshop.

So far, about 40 wheelchairs have been supplied by the mobility team at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

Volunteer occupational therapists then carry out clinical assessments to ensure the suitability of the chairs, before our partner charity PhysioNet transports them to deprived areas in countries including Fiji, Ghana, Benin, Swaziland and South Africa.

She added: “This is a fabulous partnership between our hospital, the prison and two local charities and volunteer therapists working back-to-back.

“We are really proud to be involved in this ‘green’ venture, as it enables the trust to be environmentally friendly and promotes sustainable communities whilst giving hope to many people with disabilities living in poverty overseas.

“It also helps to reduce our costs of scrapping mobility equipment.”

It is hoped other health services in the region may also get involved in the initiative.

David Brown, director of the Margaret Carey Foundation, said the project was life-changing for recipients of the chairs.

He spotlighted the case of a boy in India, who before receiving a wheelchair had to drag himself across an earthen floor to attend English language classes.

“When we gave this boy his new wheelchair – which had to be specially adapted due to the shape of his body – a beautiful smile spread over his face,” said Mr Brown.

“This venture makes such a tremendous difference to people’s lives.”

He added that when a video of the boy receiving his wheelchair was shown to one prisoner, it had a profound effect.

“He resolved there and then to amend his ways and reject his life of crime,” said Mr Brown.

“Seeing the video made him realise just how lucky he was compared to the boy in India.”

David Kaye – chairman of PhysioNet – said the charity had been collecting redundant special needs, disability and mobility equipment from health organisations across the UK for the past 16 years to reuse in developing countries.

“Our relationship with the Margaret Carey Foundation is a perfect match,” he added.

“It has access to prison workshops for repairing wheelchairs and we have a growing number of organisations abroad desperate for our equipment.”