Swindon Salvation Army Recycles project reborn after £20k donation

published on 14 Nov 2025

A transformative £20,000 donation from a local family has breathed new life into The Salvation Army Recycles project in Swindon, which has been serving the community for 15 years, unveiling a fully refurbished workshop and vibrant new identity.

The generous gift from the Horrell family has funded a dramatic overhaul of the workshop at Booth House Lifehouse. The project, which repairs and refurbishes bicycles while providing vital skills training for residents experiencing homelessness, now boasts a bright, upmarket layout and a fresh, colourful brand designed to challenge perceptions of homelessness and second-hand goods.

Simon Styles, who leads the Recycles Booth House Swindon, said the impact has been profound and the whole project is grateful to Mrs Muriel Elizabeth Horrell and her family.

“The donation has rekindled Recycles; it's breathed new life into the project. It's a lot brighter now, and the money has been well spent. The whole idea is to change people's perceptions of homeless people and refurbished bikes. We put a lot of effort into the bikes and the training, and the new look reflects that quality,”

said Simon.

The rebrand has also sparked the creation of the ‘Motor Club Cycling Collective’, a group of cycling enthusiasts who promote the shop and its mission. The collective rides in new, custom-designed club colours, further raising the profile of the project’s work in the community.

Beyond the physical transformation, the donation reinforces the project's core mission: to offer residents of Booth House a structured pathway to rebuild their lives through practical work experience and mechanic training. The workshop is now also hiring a new mechanic, expanding its capacity.

Recycles Refurbishment — The project now boasts a bright, upmarket layout and a fresh, colourful brand designed to challenge perceptions of homelessness and second-hand goods.

Simon said, “We work with people from Booth House, offering them training opportunities. The idea has always been the same, and quite a lot of our volunteers are ex-residents who come back. We help them with move-ons, as well as the training.”

The Horrell family, were originally customers who deeply believed in the project’s work. Their investment has ultimately provided a fresh lease on life for both the workshop and the individuals it serves, proving that a single act of generosity can fuel a lasting cycle of hope and renewal.

Recycles Swindon — A generous £20,000 gift from the Horrell family has funded a dramatic overhaul of the Recycles workshop at Booth House Lifehouse.

The Salvation Army Booth House Lifehouse on 1 Spring Close in Swindon is a 50-bed hostel that provides 24-hour direct access accommodation and resettlement support for single men and women over 18. It supports adults with Swindon connections who face homelessness often due to addiction, mental health challenges, or financial hardship, offering structured pathways to long-term housing.

Its social enterprises, like the Recycles bike shop and The Sandwich People, offer residents practical work experience, life skills training, and a pathway to rebuilding their lives. To learn about the Recycles project visit their website: WELCOME - Recycles.