A wheely good fundraiser for Norwich sanctuary seekers
By: Communications
UEA and the Norwich Bicycle Repair Cooperative (NBRC) have joined forces to provide bikes and parts to Norwich asylum seekers and refugees.
UEA University of Sanctuary and NBRC have worked together since 2020 to ensure that the local sanctuary community have access to refurbished bikes and ongoing repair services for free.
The NBRC are a not-for-profit workers’ co-operative, which operates the Dr Bike workshop on campus offering same-day repairs, refurbished second-hand bikes, free cycle health checks, and subsidised parts and accessories with the aim of keep cycling as affordable and accessible as possible.
Alongside its services to UEA staff, students and members of the local community, NBRC dedicates its own time to restore donated bikes and to provide ongoing repairs to cycles given to University of Sanctuary community members and their families.
UEA is one of more than 50 universities across the UK who have been awarded the status of a University of Sanctuary, an initiative that focuses on creating a culture of awareness and inclusivity for those seeking sanctuary.
Grown out of the non-governmental City of Sanctuary movement, this initiative is part of a large national network of universities working together to make higher education settings places of safety, solidarity and empowerment, recognising that universities can play a significant part in facilitating welcome in the UK.
The NBRC fundraiser is hoping to hit a target £500 to pay for bike parts such as wheels, brake pads, saddles and tyres, alongside bike accessories such as locks, helmets and bikes. NBRC cover the cost of parts and repairs themselves, supplemented by bike donations from the local community.
Olga's story
Olga Sovenko and her two primary school-aged daughters, Luiba and Zoia, fled Ukraine in March 2022, one month after the Russian invasion. They came to the UK after obtaining support from the Homes for Ukraine programme and received funding for forcibly displaced Ukrainian scholars from the British Academy, allowing Olga to continue her research within the UEA humanities faculty.
Olga joined the University of Sanctuary after being contacted with offers of support, and from there was put in touch with Dr Bike, which provided bikes for Luiba and Zoia.
Olga said: “When I moved to Caister-on-Sea, I was gifted a new adult bike by the local community, which was wonderful. Through the University of Sanctuary, I was put in contact with Dr Bike, who found bikes for my girls. I went in and told them about my daughters – how old they are, how tall they are, even their favourite colour and a week later I get a call to say they had a bike ready for Luiba in her favourite colour – pink.”
“Dr Bike are really great. They have repaired the girls’ bikes and replaced them when they outgrew them. They take parts for reuse and recycling, and you can do some things for yourself at the self-service station, such as small repairs and pumping your wheels.”
“We donated Luiba’s and Zoia’s scooters and little helmets to Dr Bike so other families in need can use them.”
Madi Dutton, UEA’s Sanctuary Liaison Officer working within the University Sanctuary initiative set up the fundraiser and said: “We are extremely proud of our long-term partnership with NBRC. We have seen firsthand how impactful this initiative is, from ensuring that sanctuary scholars can travel to the campus with ease to reducing social isolation. Whilst the wonderful staff at NBRC ensure we can offer this support by working on the bicycles in their own time, we urgently need financial support to cover the cost of the parts. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a huge difference.”
Charlie Smith from NBRC said: “We love to help University of Sanctuary members. Getting them sorted out with a bicycle as soon as possible gives them the freedom they have come here looking for.
“It’s a lovely experience being able to help someone settle into their new life, and the level of gratitude we experience from the Sanctuary community makes it so worthwhile. With the help of your donations, we will be able to keep providing bicycles free-of-charge.”
How you can help
To support NBRC so it can continue to provide bike parts, accessories and repairs for the sanctuary community, go to the UEA University of Sanctuary and Norwich Bicycle Repair Cooperative Collaborative project JustGiving page.
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