Rockstone Bike Alley was founded over seven years ago in 2005 by Rockford Copeland. 

Initially it began after planning to take his daughters out on a cycling trip,

He realised that the youngsters in his neighbourhood who wanted to come along cycling also. 

He realised many of these boys had no bikes of there own.

He began to collect old frames and asked parents and neighbours to leave any frames they had outside the garage in his home. 

He turned his garage into workshop and place equipment inside started repairing bikes.

Began teaching young people to learn how to repair their own bikes. 

He set up Rockstone Bike Alley He began to organise rides to various

council estates. He would take young people from the

plevna crescent estate to meet other youngster who were previously rivals.

they would be invited to the garage

He soon be engaged both groups and had them working together fixing and repairing bikes and riding together

This developed into a comprehensive bike building programme.

Young people learned how to strip down and re-build bikes from scratch.

Also, through the cycling activities he noticed the general health of the young people improve.

Their physical activity levels greatly improved

They were also more engaged Took part in various 10 km rides,

including the London to Brighton ride.  He eventually formed Rockstone Cycling

Club.

The plan was : To continue Rockstone Bike Alley as a

repair and maintenance workshop This money would support the cycling

club and the activities with the young people

In addition the cycling project’s remit was still expanding

The young people often sought his counsel

They spoke to him about personal and family problems they were having – in effect giving them counselling support.

In addition other adults and parents saw this and began to assist him.

A small team was identified: Volunteer parents/helpers A learning mentor A psychiatric nurse A sports scientist

The cycling club soon received the attention of the local authorities

They recognised the work that was being done and offered to involve us in a number of projects.

These parties include the NHS, Haringey council and the youth service

We have been involved in: Summer on the green – a community

based project developed to utilise local green space and provide activities for young people.

The Affinity well being project – a holistic health project, of which cycling activities were being provided

10 week Octagon project – a pupil referral unit project teaching young people to fix and repair bikes

The original message stayed the same, but the dynamic had totally changed.

It was deemed necessary to expand the remit of the project.

Eventually this led to the Registration of the Rockstone Foundation.

Strength Opportunities

Specialist team with unique skills and expertise in health, medicine, fitness, bike mechanics and maintenance, equipment & accessories.

The opportunity to carry out specialist and niche work/projects related to cycling.To engage hard to reach individuals & communities.

Weakness Threats

Lack of facilities, finance and space.

Larger organisations with money and resources to carry what we are doing on a larger scale and in multiple venues.

Political Change in Government legislation. Change in government structure of the NHS to have commissioning groups to allocate funding and resources.Government initiative drive to highlight cyclingGovernment lead initiatives on the impact of exercise on healthChange in funding in the way of personalisation budgets.

Environmental

Pollution research leading to green spaces and clean energy and transport being favoured more.Sustainable energy and transport being more popular meaning that cycling is more accessible.Increasing number of cyclists.

Social A need to engage Substance misuse and mental health service users.A need to engage young people through physical activity.A need to create activities to engage senior citizens who may feel more isolated, especially BME individuals who may not speak English as a 2nd language.

Technological Advances in bike technology, making them more accessible and easier to ride.Advances in bike safety and accessories, fitness equipment.

Legal Changes in the law regarding care of service users.More legislation regarding employees, employers and time of work for illness and sickness – increasing the focus on staff health and exercise activities.Increased number of insurance claims for cycling accidents.

Economical Increased need for employees to remain physically active and remain working.The need for young people to gain employment – in emerging industries, such as bike mechanics, and cycling instruction.The need for the NHS to reduce their net cost of interventions – mainly pharmaceuticals and operations and the need to find alternatives.

Rockford Copeland – Bike mechanic Clifton Goldson – Learning mentor and youth

worker Musa Nmguni – Psychiatric nurse Ricardo Johnson – Sports scientist and tutor Dee Buchanan – Teacher and school co-

ordinator Carol Wray – Teaching assistant and A1

assessor Patrick Hines – Mechanical engineer

HEALTH & WELL BEING

Maintenance, & repair workshop for NHS staff

Cycling health and complementary therapies service

Special mental health and substance misuse service

Research centre

EDUCATION (VOCATION) EDUCATION (GENERAL)

Road safety and proficiency

Navigational skills Outdoor pursuits Skills training

(including bike mechanics)

Maths English Science History Law Accounting Art & Design Psychology Business and admin

EDUCATION (SPORTS) EDUCATION (BIKES)

Sports science Sports injuries & 1st

aid Fitness training Cycling training Cycling instruction Coaching Sports law Journalism

Bike Design Bike production Spray painting

MAINTENANCE

Repair service Bike customisation Bike retail 2nd hand bike retail Bike rental/hire

scheme