Cycling in the forest brings independence for all
The Independent Living Group (ILG) manages a number of registered care homes supporting adults with learning disabilities. Every week, they are supported in a number of services cycling in the Alton area of Hampshire at Alice Holt Forest. Cyclists of ILG first met ‘East Hampshire Cycling for All’ in May 2008. Most had never cycled before and many had assumed that this activity was not within their abilities.
Initial participation varied. While some people were keen to join in immediately, others were much more hesitant. The range of unusual cycles at Alice Holt were unfamiliar to many visitors and for some
individuals it took several weeks before they had enough confidence to try riding.
One of ILG’s new cyclists is a young woman with autism. She requires a high level of support and has no verbal communication. Her first encounter with East Hampshire Cycling for All’s bikes gave her a chance to familiarise herself with the many unusual, brightly coloured cycles. On her next visit, she was riding alongside a support worker in a three-wheeled cycle. Her confidence and skills have grown to
the extent that by the end of the summer, she was able to ride a single tricycle, in full control, turning independently at each end of the riding area. As someone with limited levels of expression, the growing smile on her face has been evident to all those riding with her.
Other people who have attended are more able to ride and often join volunteer leaders on the off-road trails of Alice Holt Forest, using conventional two-wheeled mountain bikes. People with a learning disability can often lead a sedentary lifestyle and have a greater risk of the health issues associated with being learning disabled. ‘East Hampshire Cycling for All’ simply provides the equipment and the environment in which these able cyclists can be encouraged to take regular, enjoyable outdoor exercise. One cyclist has now bought his own bike, which he proudly brings along each week to ride on the woodland trails of the forest. Neil Bamforth, support coordinator says “This is a brilliant session. The service users get a lot out of it.”
The Independent Living Group (ILG) manages a number of registered care homes supporting adults with learning disabilities. Every week, they are supported in a number of services cycling in the Alton area of Hampshire at Alice Holt Forest. Cyclists of ILG first met ‘East Hampshire Cycling for All’ in May 2008. Most had never cycled before and many had assumed that this activity was not within their abilities.Initial participation varied. While some people were keen to join in immediately, others were much more hesitant. The range of unusual cycles at Alice Holt were unfamiliar to many visitors and for someindividuals it took several weeks before they had enough confidence to try riding.One of ILG’s new cyclists is a young woman with autism. She requires a high level of support and has no verbal communication. Her first encounter with East Hampshire Cycling for All’s bikes gave her a chance to familiarise herself with the many unusual, brightly coloured cycles. On her next visit, she was riding alongside a support worker in a three-wheeled cycle. Her confidence and skills have grown tothe extent that by the end of the summer, she was able to ride a single tricycle, in full control, turning independently at each end of the riding area. As someone with limited levels of expression, the growing smile on her face has been evident to all those riding with her.Other people who have attended are more able to ride and often join volunteer leaders on the off-road trails of Alice Holt Forest, using conventional two-wheeled mountain bikes. People with a learning disability can often lead a sedentary lifestyle and have a greater risk of the health issues associated with being learning disabled. ‘East Hampshire Cycling for All’ simply provides the equipment and the environment in which these able cyclists can be encouraged to take regular, enjoyable outdoor exercise. One cyclist has now bought his own bike, which he proudly brings along each week to ride on the woodland trails of the forest. Neil Bamforth, support coordinator says “This is a brilliant session. The service users get a lot out of it.”