News News 2025-06-03
Celebrating 500 Bikes: Recirculate Reaches Major Milestone at West Middlesex Hospital
On 22 May 2025, the 500th donated and refurbished bike from the Recirculate initiative was gifted to an NHS staff member at West Middlesex Hospital. It marked a powerful milestone that reflects the growing impact of a project born out of care, collaboration, and circularity.
Founded in 2021 by Equans UK & Ireland, InfraRed Capital Partners, and Vercity, Recirculate began as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since become an award-winning circular economy programme integrated into our facilities management (FM) service delivery model. The initiative supports NHS workers with their health wellbeing, strengthens communities, and diverts items from landfill, creating value for people and planet alike.
Recirculate model: ‘Donate - Renovate - Locate’
Unwanted bikes are collected from across our partner networks, refurbished by individuals gaining qualifications in prison workshops, and distributed to NHS staff and community groups most in need. Operational teams on the ground, including Equans’ site-based FM staff and our Recirculate Project Manager, work closely with hospital trusts to coordinate each delivery and donation. This partnership ensures Recirculate is embedded into our everyday service model, not a bolt-on, and delivers lasting local impact.
The recent 500th bike donation is the latest example of how Equans’ FM teams are helping drive social value from the front line, aligning client goals around wellbeing, sustainability, sustainable travel, and inclusion with a practical, scalable delivery model.
Impactful metrics
Since its launch, Recirculate has delivered measurable impact across communities, the environment, and rehabilitation programmes:
- Donated 402 bikes to NHS staff across nine hospitals and Trusts
- Gifted 85 bikes to children’s charities and families in need
- Helped 14 individuals, including refugee families, access transport
- Avoided 4.5 tonnes of CO₂e by diverting bikes from landfill
- Enabled 29 vocational accreditations through prison workshop training
- Delivered over 3,000 hours of rehabilitation-focused learning
Personal stories
These results speak to the power of working together across sectors, from facilities teams to public sector clients, from SPVs to charitable partners, to deliver inclusive, people-first outcomes.
Beyond the numbers, Recirculate has had a transformative effect on the lives of its recipients. NHS staff frequently report improvements in both their physical and mental health, with the bike often becoming more than just a mode of transport.
“I still have the bike that you kindly donated to me whilst working at Peterborough Hospital. At the time it was a very useful tool as I was my dad’s carer and was on call 24/7, so if he needed help through the call centre, I could cover 4 miles in around 20 minutes on cycle routes and short cuts! I am still using my bike regularly, enjoying the outdoors and keeping fit and have clocked up a couple of thousand miles since I’ve had it. Thank you so much for the bike - it is very much appreciated.”
The bike renovations are carried out in prison workshops at HMP Hewell, HMP Aylesbury, and HMP Peterborough, providing meaningful work and recognised qualifications such as City & Guilds and Velotech for those in custody. These skills improve employment prospects after release - a key factor in reducing reoffending.
As one participant shared: “It’s for a worthy cause” – Darryl,
“Gives me a positive outlook” – Thomas,
“Helps me give something back” – Martin.
Nicola Meadley, Recirculate Project Manager, said: “Reaching our 500th bike is more than a number - it’s a testament to the powerful collaboration between Equans, InfraRed, Vercity and across the FM teams, clients and communities. Every bike tells a story of impact, from improved staff wellbeing to rehabilitation and skills-building behind the scenes.”
Amelle Mestari, Procurement and CSR Director at Equans UK & Ireland, concluded: “Recirculate shows what’s possible when social value isn’t an afterthought, but embedded directly into how we deliver our services. By aligning procurement decisions with community need and environmental ambition, we are creating more inclusive, sustainable workplaces for our clients and partners - and making a real difference in people’s lives.”
Looking ahead
Recirculate is expanding beyond bikes. With the same model, we are now repurposing pre-loved items such as furniture, IT equipment, and white goods, many of which are already being relocated to schools, hospitals, and charities through our FM networks.
A new digital platform will soon make it even easier for local groups to view and request available items, scaling our impact, reducing waste, and ensuring every asset goes where it’s most needed.
At Equans, we believe social value should be practical, measurable, and deeply connected to the places we serve. Recirculate continues to prove that with the right partnerships and a clear sense of purpose, we can build a better future - one bike at a time.
To find out more or get involved, visit www.re-circulate.org or contact info@re-circulate.org.
