A BIKE charity that offers sales and servicing and helps its volunteers develop valuable skills has welcomed the chamber of commerce to its workshop.

On Your Bike aims to train and support people who have suffered social exclusion, people with physical disabilities and mental health problems, ex-service personnel, ex-offenders, homeless people and the long-term unemployed. 

The charity has recycled and serviced thousands of bikes at an affordable rate to community members since it was founded in Wellington in 2011.

Chamber manager Diogo Rodrigues met with representatives of the charity to learn more about its valuable work.

Roger Habgood, the charity's chair of trustees, said: “We’ve been an incorporated charity since August 2011, and what we do is allow people to work in our fully equipped workshops with support and supervision from our Cytech-trained mechanics to refurbish unwanted bicycles and then sell them to the public.

“This enables our volunteers and beneficiaries to gain new skills, confidence, self-worth, and a desire to be a proactive part of our community.”

Diogo said: “Roger and the team have shown me what is an incredible facility in the heart of Bridgwater.

“This is a charity that does some fantastic work not just in Bridgwater but over the M5 in Taunton too.

“They have a special team here that really care about the people that use this facility and want to make a difference to their lives.

“They’re also selling top quality refurbished bikes at very affordable prices which is a real treat!

“The Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce doesn’t just represent businesses in Bridgwater but charities too, and we’re so pleased that On Your Bike is part of our business network.”

On Your Bike's Bridgwater workshop can be found at Trinity Hall in St Saviour's Avenue. It also has a premises on Station Approach in Taunton.

You can find out more about the charity by visiting www.on-your-bike.co.uk.