Partner case studies
Black Women Bike
Created by Dr Dianne Regisford, Black Women Bike brings together African Diaspora community leaders to explore why over 90% of black women do not bike, support leaders to learn how to ride and create a culture of cycling and better health.
Community leaders received a bicycle, locks, lights, helmets and tuition. In addition, they took part in a Mechanics 101 course with Broken Spoke and met weekly at Blackbird Leys Community Centre. To ensure that the women could cycle in culturally appropriate clothing, one of the participants produced clothing that could be worn whilst cycling. The women now ride weekly in Blackbird Leys and Abingdon, with plans to provide training for cycle leaders to inspire other women to learn to ride.
"Growing up back home we have perception as riding a bicycle is for men not for women. I want to use a bicycle as a means of transport and to be able to cycle as a hobby."
Banbury Mosque Football Club
Through our inclusive sports programme for young people, Access Sport Oxfordshire, we have supported Banbury Mosque Football Club to provide coaching qualifications.
Mohammed was volunteering at Banbury Mosque football club and was given the opportunity to complete a Level 1 FA coaching qualification. Mohammed started shadowing the Oxford United in the Community's coaches who were delivering the Banbury Mosque football. Mohammed has now obtained paid work coaching football, is currently doing a BTEC in sport at Pro Direct Academy and wants to complete his UEFA Level C. Mohammed will now be leading football sessions at Banbury Mosque, supported by adult members of the mosque that have also completed their qualifications.
I have always had a passion and love for football as I started playing it from a young age and as I have got older realising there are not many players and coaches from my background. I want to make a change and help others develop a love and interest in football and also sport as a whole
Oxford Hub
We started working with Oxford Hub in 2018, which was a natural fit due to our aligned mission, values and focus on target groups in the community impact zone. We have partnered with them on the "Trax" project, which saw unclaimed, stolen bikes donated by the Oxfordshire police service, refurbished by TRAX charity and given out to children facing severe disadvantage.
More recently, we've worked with Oxford Hub on the Bikes for Key Workers initiative and launched Ready Set Go, a project supported by Oxfordshire County Council designed to make sure that every child in Oxfordshire can cycle and swim, with a particular focus on the Community Impact Zone. We are excited to continue our close collaboration in the future to help people in the greatest need get active and change their lives.
Bikes for Key Workers
Active Oxfordshire launched this partnership project in April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to make sure that our NHS and key worker heroes could access free bikes and carry on their life-changing work.
This community based project was launched in partnership with Cyclox, Oxford City Council, Broken Spoke Bike Co-op, Windrush Bike Project and other partners, with bikes generously donated by members of the public and refurbished by volunteer mechanics. A fundraising appeal raised over £10,000, with support from Big Bike Revival, Low Carbon Hub and generous individual donations.
In just three months, over 200 bikes were given out to Oxfordshire key workers, with 14 volunteer mechanics working tirelessly to ensure all bikes were safety checked and ready for the road. Active Oxfordshire is now in talks to ensure that this innovative project can benefit more people in need as we recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
