Prodigal Bikes

Prodigal Bikes is a Somerset-based charity that refurbishes donated bicycles to create opportunities for people in both the UK and Africa. Through bike restoration, training programmes and charitable partnerships, the organisation helps improve access to education, healthcare and employment.

The charity believes in the power of second chances, not only for the bikes they restore, but also for the people they support. In the UK, Prodigal Bikes provides engineering training, practical work experience and volunteering opportunities for individuals facing long-term unemployment and exclusion from education. By teaching hands-on mechanical skills and encouraging confidence and teamwork, the charity helps individuals move towards employment, stability and self-sustaining futures.

Alongside this work in the UK, Prodigal Bikes sends refurbished bicycles, tools, and spare parts to communities across rural Africa. Their bikes help children and teachers travel to schools, improve access to healthcare for patients, and support local trade and employment opportunities in areas where transport is otherwise limited or unavailable.