“Lasting impact”: How the GTCT has provided vital support for Wheels for Wellbeing
Set up in 2007, Wheels for Wellbeing works with disabled people, using their fleet of over 200 adaptive cycles to ensure that everyone enjoys access to cycling.
The team delivers weekly drop-in sessions, as well as led rides and outreach work across Croydon, Lewisham and Southwark.
With an investment from the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust, Wheels for Wellbeing was able to buy two adapted trikes to use in its Young Wheels programme, promoting inclusive cycling.
These sessions reach around 250 children and young people each year.
Wheels for Wellbeing Director Isabelle Clement explains:
“The grant from the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust meant that we’ve been able to offer more disabled children the opportunity to try out cycling and regularly attend sessions at our inclusive cycling hubs. They’ll have a lasting impact, serving children for years to come and providing them with all the physical and mental wellbeing benefits that cycling brings.”
The sessions welcome children and young people facing any barrier to cycling, including physical and learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and sensory impairments.
“Disabled children often miss out on cycling to school with friends and other opportunities such as bikeability sessions during school,” Operations Manager, Mark Browne, added. “That’s why it’s so important that we help them learn to ride in the safety of our off-road environment where they can try different cycles and specialist equipment.
“The trikes have helped expand our work which removes barriers to cycling for disabled children and young people across South London. We see children growing in confidence, physical fitness and mobility, and it has a positive impact on other areas of their lives such as education and family relationships,” adds Mark Browne, Operations Manager.
“I like cycling on that bike,” commented one participant, Gavriella. “It’s fast and comfortable.”
Beata is a Cycling Instructor with Wheels for Wellbeing and has told the story of the group’s non-verbal participants, exemplifying how valuable these trikes are for the work that groups such as Wheels for Wellbeing carry out.
“When we first met Ismail, “she said, “he wasn’t keen to choose a bike, nor to sit down on it. After some time and encouragement his first choice was a go-cart. This was a huge step forward, but we could not, at that point, call it cycling; he was moving the bike by pushing the floor with his feet.
“This happened for a few weeks until the small Tomcat Trike arrived, paid for by the grant from the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust.
“The advantage of the trike,” she continued, “is that you can connect or disconnect the pedals. This was great for Ismail, and it did not take long for him to start pedalling properly, and he still really enjoys it which shows every time he arrives and points to the trike with happiness on his face.”
Learn more about how to apply for a grant, as an individual or as a group, here.
And find out how you can support the GTCT’s work here.
