Clerkenwheels – from Plymouth to Clerkenwell Design Week for United in Design

Next May 2026, Clerkenwheels will set off from University of Plymouth to cycle all the way to London for the start of Clerkenwell Design Week, with the goal to raise £10,000 for United in Design, a charity breaking down barriers to the interior design industry.
Clerkenwheels is the idea of interior designer, educator and podcaster, Jonathan Forster and creative director, Tom Bourne. The event will see the pair cycle their way from University of Plymouth, where Jonathan is award leader of the interior design course, all the way to Clerkenwell, arriving for the start of interior design’s biggest UK festival.
Covering some 240 miles over five days, along the way the pair will stop off to podcast with designers, manufacturers and industry personalities discussing the importance of diversity and inclusivity for the future of interior design.
The ride will raise funds for United in Design (UiD), a charity established by interior designers Sophie Ashby and Alexandra Dauley in response to the lack of inclusion in the industry. With a target of £10,000, Clerkenwheels will be supporting the progression of UiD’s Education and Outreach Programme. The programme aims to encourage young people from underrepresented communities and diverse socio-economic backgrounds into the industry through knowledge, experience and career planning.
All funds raised will go directly to the classroom-facilitated programme, which has already seen UiD reach young people in the Londonboroughs of Streatham and Southwark. Every £10 donated will create opportunities for young people across the UK through the UiD Education & Outreach Programme, bridging the gap between education and employment in design. The funds will allow the charity to expand the initiatve outside of the capital, providing 1,000 places. Surpassing the total will ensure that even more school-aged young people will consider a future career in the industry.
Alex Dauley, Chair, United in Design “We’re absolutely thrilled that the Clerkenwheels fundraising initiative is focused on raising vital funds to deliver meaningful impact through our grassroots Education & Outreach programme. Every £10 donated enables us to reach young people from minority communities who are systematically excluded from the design industry, while equipping them with access to knowledge, networks, and experience that are critical in closing the gap between education and employment. This support directly helps us break down barriers to entry and create more equitable pathways into creative careers. We are so grateful to Jonathan andTom for leading this initiative and helping to scale our impact.”
Jonathan and Tom say, “As two white men who have been in the industry for decades, we’re only too aware of the need for the industry to be more inclusive. Raising money to encourage young people into interior design with a pathway that gives them knowledge of the industry, experience of work and steps to a career is a way we can payback for our time in the sector and make a positive difference. We’ll be huffing and puffing our way to the start of Clerkenwell Design Week
knowing that your support for Clerkenwheels is making a difference to 1,000 young people with diverse backgrounds.”
Jonathan is host of Multi Story Thinking, a top 50 interior design podcast, and will record a series of special episodes on diversity and inclusion during Clerkenwheels. Joining companies along the route, Jonathan will explore the challenges presented by a lack of diversity for the design of truly inclusive interiors, as well as working in the craft and design industries outside of London.
The Clerkenwheels ride will begin on Friday 15 May with the pair arriving at Clerkenwell Design Week for the first day of the festival, Tuesday 19 May. The pair are encouraging others from the industry to join the ride for the final day and would also be delighted for companies in the industry to become involved in hosting the reception and supporting the adventure along the way.
Donations can be made through the Clerkenwheels website, CLERKENWHEELS, where you can also find out more about the adventure. For more on United in Design and its work, including the Education and Outreach, Career Pathway and Mentorship programmes, visit United In Design.