Meet our new Trustees and Pedal Power graduates

This year we embarked on expanding our Trustee Board with the nomination of two Trustees with Lived Experience. Ensuring refugee voices are heard at every level of the organisation is so vital to the work we do, to ensure we are supporting and communicating with our bike recipients and those who access our programs.

Our brilliant two new trustees are Comfort and Hala, both graduates of our Pedal Power program. We immediately sat down with both of them and had a wonderful chat about their experience and dreams for their new appointments. 

Both Hala and Comfort spoke passionately of their decision to join our Board. Comfort says:

When I first joined The Bike Project, my life very quickly revolved around the project and around Pedal Power. So when the call was put out, welcoming applicants for the Trustees with lived experience, I wanted to apply immediately!

Hala agrees, adding that she truly believes in the power of The Bike Project. “Reducing the gap of who can access exercise and physical activity is so important, especially for refugees. Beyond just providing a bike, the charity helps refugees integrate in every way. For me personally, the impact is so clear. I feel more like the community I’m part of, due to my new bike. And I’m sure other refugees feel the same.”

Comfort also noted that the impact of being a trustee would allow her to be part of those who look after the wellbeing of refugees:

 “I’ve gone through every part of the bike project. Participant, volunteer, bike recipient, instructor – I know as much as possible what it is like for the average person going through the process.  I believe I will be able to share that experience with those on the Board.”  

For Hala, it was bringing to light how beneficial The Bike Project can be to refugees, beyond providing a bike.

“Of course, a bike is the main reason refugees first get in touch.   But there is so much more the organisation does. Empowerment, integration, empowering women, and helping them access local community, to helping with mental health. With my background as a pharmacist and public health researcher means I know how important these things are. I’m excited to help the organisation highlight this aspect of our work even more. “

Both Hala and Comfort have already dived into their roles, and have big plans for how they want to contribute. For Comfort, having lived experience of meant she was excited to get more involvement of refugees within the charity operations: 

Where have I been and where I want to go as refugees and thinking about what’s good for them, especially as we continue to expand.

Hala can't just choose one! She said: 

I would like to see TBP empowering refugees, so that they can achieve more. I know TBP checks in but we’re not sure how much more these people are using it. Encourage to use it as a means of transport and also exercise. Supporting people to cycle, not just get a bike. Supporting them to make that choice.

We're really excited to have these amazing trustees join our organisation, and look forward to see how they work with us!