Spotlight on Women on Wheels SCIO
In our latest member spotlight, we’re delighted to welcome Shgufta Anwar, Founding Director of Women on Wheels SCIO. They work to empower women by showing that cycling can feel like a welcoming, inclusive space, especially to women of colour.
What does your social enterprise do, and why do you do it?
The world of everyday cycling is dominated by a white male demographic. It is much less common for women to take up cycling for transport and leisure, especially women of colour.
Women on Wheels (SCIO) is a Glasgow-based community cycling hub for women. A service designed and led by women, we deliver a range of cycling activities to get women back on a bike or onto a bike for the very first time.
Our mission is to empower and enable women to overcome their barriers to take up cycling – for transport, to improve their physical and mental health, and most importantly, for the pure joy of it!
What products, services and/or experiences do you currently offer?
- Cycle lessons
- Led rides
- Maintenance classes
- Ballance Bike sessions
- Family sessions
- MTB
- BMX
- Bike touring
- Social events, such as coffee mornings, speaker events and film nights
What’s your personal motivation?
I am passionate about addressing inequalities.
What is next on the horizon for your social enterprise, and how do you plan to get there?
We want to recruit a Business Development Coordinator who can get businesses to buy our services and get their womenfolk cycling. (Keep an eye on Women on Wheel’s vancanies by clicking here.)
What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome in your social enterprise journey?
The constant struggle of trying to get grant funding.
What is your most satisfying achievement so far?
Having worked with in excess of 1600 women and families in the short space of 3.5 years.
How has being a member of Social Enterprise Scotland helped you?
Being part of a community.
Who in the social enterprise community inspires you and why?
I don’t really know anyone, except Jayne Chapell.
What top tips would you give to other social enterprises?
Keep at it. Keep fighting for your cause.
For more information about Women on Wheels SCIO, please visit their website, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
Want to read more Member Spotlights? Visit our blog. If you’d like to be featured, please email membership@socialenterprise.scot.