BUILDING A BRIDGE WITH BIKE BUILDING
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The Bridge Project - a youth project that Frontline Bikes’ parent organisation Frontline Make Change runs in conjunction with Dublin City Council, Community Garda and youth services in the North Inner City / North Wall, South Inner City / East Wall Areas - launched in 2023.
The aim of the project is to build a bridge between teenagers from different areas of Dublin, through restorative practice, art therapy, bike maintenance and bike building.
The project brings the participants away from their local areas to Frontline Bikes training centre in Bluebell, where our bike mechanics Paul Longworth and Ger McBrearty oversee and assist the participants with the building of their bikes and teach them bike maintenance skills. Frontline’s Community Prison Links worker, Jason Campbell works with them on restorative practice and art therapist Deirdre McCormick facilitates art therapy with them in a group setting.
“Young people communicate through self-expression. They have a unique view of the world and unique life experiences. Creative outlets using interaction, art and play techniques can allow young people to make sense of what is going on for them," Deirdre McCormick, Art Therapist.
The project gives the participants an opportunity to learn new skills, which can build confidence in themselves and their abilities, as well as learning to work with people who they may have previously had conflict with.
Jason Campbell explains how he works with the young people during the programme: “I use restorative practice to help youths understand the root causes of their conflicts with others and guide them toward a better path, steering them away from crime and violence which could potentially lead to imprisonment. This approach aims to increase their self-awareness and help them see what they have in common with those they are in conflict with.
“Many of these young people come from difficult backgrounds where they have witnessed violence, crime, and addiction, creating a cycle that can be hard to break. My goal is to help them recognise their own strengths and abilities to prevent a troubled future. It is rewarding to see them show up each week to participate in restorative sessions, even when it is uncomfortable to discuss difficult issues with those who they have conflicts with. Their willingness to engage demonstrates great resilience and potential.”
One of the goals at the end of the project is for each participant to have a finished bike to take home with them that they have designed and built themselves.
This year, we showcased the stunning, one-of-a-kind bikes created by the young participants in Frontline Bikes bike shop. Due to the great feedback and positive response to them, designs based on these bikes will be available to purchase by the public on request, with all profits going into running further programmes like this one.
If you are interested in one the bike designs, get in touch with us at [email protected].