THE lives of people who have struggled with drugs, alcohol, homelessness and crime are now ‘immeasurably’ better after working at the Julian House Bike Workshop in Trowbridge.

Each year more than 70 young people and adults, many dealing with substance misuse issues, receive work experience and one-to-one employment support through the workshop.

Robert Amor, 63, and Matthew Joyce, 39, from Trowbridge, are just two people who say the workshop has transformed their lives for the better.

Mr Amor explained he had struggled with self-confidence after experiencing alcohol issues. “the build-a-bike course here has helped me immeasurably,” he said.

“I was low on confidence before I came here and it is still hard for me 10 years on after my wife died, but the support and help I have received here has given me hope. I believe I can succeed going forward.”

Mr Joyce who, like Mr Amor has received his certificate of achievement from Julian House, has spent the last three years volunteering at the workshop and it has done him wonders.

“I was involved in crime and drugs but the judge didn’t send me to jail and that saved me,” he said.

“He gave me a chance to do good and it has paid off. The minute I came in here for the course, where you choose a bike, strip it apart, put it together and then you can keep it, is so great. I would recommend it to anyone.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, Angus Macpherson, met Mr Amor and Mr Joyce at the workshop on Monday as part of the force’s summer-long Beyond the Beat campaign. This week the campaign shifts focus to alcohol and drug abuse.

“What they are doing here is superb,” he said.