Volunteers in Bournemouth are helping Dorset residents stay active with weekly health cycle rides and walks.
The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) organises four cycles every week in different parts of the BCP area.
The ride itself has volunteers that are trained to lead the group of around 30 people, which are split into two different levels, depending on ability and confidence.
The Health Rides take place four times a week, all starting at 10am: Tuesdays in Ferndown, Wednesdays in Weymouth and Ringwood, and Thursdays in Wimborne.
Jeff Everett, a leader of the Tuesday group for 9 years, spoke about the type of people that attend these events, “At ten o’clock on a Tuesday most of the people you see here are retired, but it is people who are looking to do something active and meet new people.”
Alongside cycling, volunteers are also leading health walks, ensuring people of all ages have access to exercise.
For lots of the leaders and members the rides give them a schedule and something to do during retirement.
Patricia Mickenden, another leader discussed her motivation for volunteering every week, “Once I stopped working, I needed something to do and I have always enjoyed cycling, so I decided to come down to one of these rides.”
“Without volunteers this wouldn’t exist, but it gives us all something to do every week and I’ve been able to meet so many new people.”
The health cycle rides have created a community, finishing the ride with a coffee and a catch for everyone as well as an opportunity to meet new people.
Mr Everett said, “he didn’t know anybody,” when he first attended the rides, but now feels part of a “community.”
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