Changing lives through cycling: Meet Michael Collins, Bike Shop Manager at Happy Days

Thanks to CityConnect funding Happy Days has provided people living in their community housing with access to a bike, “back to basics” cycling skills sessions and confidence boosting led rides along the nearby canal towpath.

Happy Days UK, which has been successful in both rounds of the CityConnect community grants scheme funding, is a social enterprise, using the income generated from its bike shop and café at Sowerby Bridge to provide community housing across Yorkshire, providing safe accommodation, and practical and social support for people without a home.

Thanks to CityConnect funding Happy Days has provided people living in their community housing with access to a bike, “back to basics” cycling skills sessions and confidence boosting led rides along the nearby canal towpath.

The funding is also used to run maintenance sessions at the Happy Days bike shop.

Michael Collins, Bike Shop Manager at their Sowerby Bridge hub, said: “The idea is to get people cycling so that when an employment or training opportunities arise they can ride to them with confidence.

“The people we work with are getting back on their feet, often after an incredibly tough time and cycling is a way of getting them out there, seeing new places and meeting new people, building their skills and confidence as we go.

“We find cycling is a really good way of getting people breaking down barriers – you’re not a stranger on a bike and people respond really well to that.

“It’s amazing to see how cycling can help people in a relatively short space of time – that’s the power of the bike!”