Trust Links, a local independent charity in Essex, is dedicated to improving people’s mental health, physical wellbeing, and the environment. Offering a variety of activities such as therapeutic gardening, social activities, workshops on a range of different topics, and cycling opportunities, Trust Links has supported over 4,000 residents across mid and south Essex. One of their standout initiatives is the Trust Links Cycling Course; a six-week programme designed to help attendees develop cycling skills and confidence while improving their mental and physical health.
The course is held at Hadleigh Park and is specifically tailored for adults with mental health issues who lack confidence and engage in limited physical activity. The course consists of six weekly sessions, each lasting two hours. The primary aims of these sessions are to develop cycling skills and confidence, improve mental health and wellbeing, and enhance physical health. Additionally, participants learn basic bike maintenance skills to take away with them.
The sessions are delivered by two qualified instructors from Hadleigh Park Cycles and are tailored to the individual and specific needs of the participants. Whether they have cycled in the past and are looking to re-engage, or have no prior experience, the instructors provide personalised support. The presence of Trust Links Project Workers offers a familiar and reassuring face, helping to create a supportive and familiar environment.
Engaging 12 individuals who otherwise find it difficult to cycle due to financial constraints and lack of confidence, they also offer additional support enable participants to engage in further cycling activities and other opportunities in the local area. The project is supported by Hadleigh Park Cycles CIC, which provides cycle services and cycle hire at Hadleigh Country Park, the site of the 2012 Olympic mountain bike (MTB) track.
Initially, 10 members signed up for the course, with seven successfully completing it. The age of these participants ranged from 19 to 61, with eight males and two females taking part. All attendees were already current Trust Links members with a mental health diagnosis, and the project provided a supportive environment for them to reintroduce themselves to cycling.
Members quickly built a trusting relationship with the cycle coaches from Hadleigh Park Cycles, who were encouraging and supportive. Many participants expressed a desire to continue cycling after the course ended, having built new friendships and explored local areas they hadn’t visited before. All members provided positive feedback, reporting improvements in their mental health, physical fitness, and confidence. With one explaining:
“I have really enjoyed these sessions. They are great for my mental health, great for cardio, and everyone looks after each other.”
Another attendee added that:
“The instructors are very good. It feels like a family. We aren’t treated like we are different; everyone is included.”
Despite some participants with health conditions finding manual bikes more challenging to use, e-bikes were provided to enable these riders to continue taking part, both as a long-term solution or as a transition to manual bikes. Hadleigh Park Cycles kindly provided e-bikes for these participants, but in future, e-bikes should be considered from the start.
Participants expressed a desire to continue taking part in the programme and develop their skills further. Funding for the programme was limited to eight weeks, but there is a demand for it to continue for longer. During the project, Trust Links liaised with Hadleigh Park Cycles to support a funding application to Cycling UK for follow-up rides for members who completed the course. This application was approved, and the seven members who completed the course are happy to have now started attending further led rides, with a further bike maintenance workshop also being provided.
Dan at Trust Links said; “The Trust Links Cycling project has provided our members with a valuable opportunity to engage in a group activity. During the course of the project, it was notable how members confidence increased, both in terms of their cycling and with regards to their self-esteem. Several of the members have continued to meet and cycle regularly, it’s been great to see them do so without ongoing support from Trust Links. We’d like to thank Hadleigh Park cycles for their support in delivering this project and we hope to continue collaborating with them in the future.”
The Trust Links Cycling Project has proven to be a valuable initiative for improving mental health and wellbeing through cycling across mid and south Essex. By providing a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can take part, the project has helped participants gain confidence, build new friendships, and explore their local areas. The success of the programme highlights the importance of continued support and funding to ensure that more individuals can benefit from such initiatives in the future.
