Spokes, saddles and speaking up at skills support scheme

It's Friday afternoon in a bike shed in Londonderry.

13-year-old twins Thomas and Travis are making a start on fixing a broken bicycle that was bound for the dump.

"We need to get the brakes and handlebars changed and then fix the chains," says Thomas.

But while they are learning how to make those repairs, they are also talking to social worker Danny Bryce about their lives at home and at school.

They are taking part in the On Your Bike scheme, which combines practical skills with emotional support for young people in the Western Health trust area.

The first task for the boys from Newtownstewart is to take the rust off the bike.

While they are doing that, Bryce is asking them about what subjects they have picked for their GCSEs.

"Motor-vehicles, and technology," replies Thomas.

"Well this is going to tie in with motor vehicles then," says Bryce.

Despite the workshop appearing to be focused on getting an old bike roadworthy again, it is actually the conversations which take place that are most important for the social worker.

"We do a lot of chatting about what challenges they are facing and together we come up with solutions to what they are talking about," Bryce tells BBC News NI.

Developed by the Family Response Service, the project also helps young people develop and build relationships within their families and wider circle.

This is something that has become clear to Thomas.

"Because we (Thomas and Travis) are doing stuff together, we are getting closer and building our relationship with each other."

The On Your Bike Project lasts for four weeks and so far it has worked with over 100 young people from across the north west.

They choose a damaged bike, help to upcycle it and by the end of the month they get to take it home with them.

The old bikes are donated by staff at the Western Trust or saved from landfill through Derry City and Strabane District Council's recycling centre.

Bryce believes taking part in activities like this is much easier for teenagers than formal counselling sessions.

"Sitting down in a room with an adult can be very intimidating for young people and the formal format of that often doesn't work, so we use projects like this to collaborate with young people."

After their bikes are repaired and upcycled in the workshop, Bryce will then take the twins through a cycling assessment before they can take them home.

They will also be given helmets and hi-vis vests, along with reflectors to make sure the bikes are as visible as possible.

"We talk them through road safety, like where they can and can't go on the bikes.

"We also make sure they are competent in cycling and how to stop and emergency stop properly".

Bryce said the project is also a great confidence builder: "A lot of young people don't have the opportunity to use tools, or actually practically fix something and so this gives them a great sense of pride and achievement."

It also teaches the teenagers about sustainability.

"We live in a throw-away society, and this is great because it educates them about the environment and focuses on the fact that if something breaks, it can be fixed, it doesn't have to be dumped."

Thomas is looking forward to not only bringing his new bike home, but using it to spend more time with his brother Travis.

"It will be fun to keep the bike, once we are finished. We will use the bikes to go places."