SPOKES, spindles, wingnuts and valves: they might not seem like typical tools for tackling homelessness. But according to a leading charity celebrating the early successes of its newly launched “build-a-bike” project to mark its 50th anniversary, more practical and creative solutions are needed to help homeless people turn their lives around.

Simon Community Scotland, which works with 3,000 people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness, has teamed up with Glasgow social enterprise The Bike Station to launch a project which aims to give people skills, improve their confidence and health and put them in control with the help of their very own set of wheels.

Yesterday eight women successfully completed their build-a-bike programme, which includes advice on maintaining their new ride. Another eight women are due to start later this month with hopes that the project will continue to expand.

The scheme is part of the charity’s wider bike initiative, which will work with at least 100 people. It has secured 26 bikes for use in projects across the city to be used by staff, service users and volunteers and is also planning cycle leadership courses to help train up people to get around using their new bikes.

Simon Community Scotland, which is contracted by Glasgow City Council to deliver its street work service to vulnerable rough sleepers, said it hoped to use its 50th anniversary to highlight the alternative ways to offer people support and the importance of individual solutions and responses to homelessness.

Lorraine McGrath chief executive of Simon Community Scotland, said: “Homelessness is something that can, and does, happen to anyone and it strips away absolutely everything. The women involved in this project probably never thought that they would be messing about with spanners but it’s proved to be a marvellous opportunity to get involved with something that’s given them real skills.

“They didn’t know they could do it, so its given their confidence a real boost, and it’s also functional; it has real benefits in terms of physical and mental health. And it’s also fun. Most of these women have not been on a bike since they were children and there’s a sense of freedom and a sense of control in being able to get around the city under your own steam.”

The charity sees around 150 rough sleepers every month and helps them secure their right to temporary housing as well as addressing problems with accessing benefits and putting them in touch with other services.

The bike project is one of a range of programmes which help people move on with their lives once crisis solutions have been found.

Carolanne Boyle, aged 43, first became homeless during her early twenties following a relationship breakdown and has been homeless on and off ever since. She said: “I never imagined myself being able to build a bike, from scratch, but here I am. The bike is built, it’s helping me keep fit and I’m cycling every day. It’s really helping me turn my life around.”

Victoria Leiper, the Bike Station project manager said the course also covered route planning and safe on-road cycling.

She said: “By the end of the course, ladies not only have a bike to get from A to B but the skills and confidence to cycle as a mode of travel.

“The partnership with Simon Community Scotland is all about providing opportunities for people that make a difference in their day-to day lives. We are a great fit and are thrilled to be working with them.”