Who are we?
Hand In Hand Activities is a Community Interest Company (CIC) established in 2016 in order to develop and deliver a range of interesting and exciting projects to residents in the borough of Stockton on Tees and the surrounding area who are disabled, living with dementia, or carers. The project is led by Alison Watson-Shields, of Hand In Hand Care, who has over 15 years experience of working in health and social care in a range of community group and home care settings spanning a wide range of service user groups.
Meet the team:
What is Cycling Without Age?
Cycling Without Age is a movement started in 2012 by Ole Kassow, which set out to tackle the social isolation endured by elderly people as a consequence of their limited mobility. Cycling Without Age enables volunteers to use a bespoke bike called a Trishaw to take elderly people out on bike rides around their community. Since Fraser Johnston was featured in BBC Three’s ‘Amazing Humans’ television programme the concept has spread rapidly throughout the UK with new Chapters of CWA opening to support their local communities.
How is it going to work?
We are what is called a ‘registered affiliate’ of Cycling Without Age which means we have been granted the privilege of starting a ‘Chapter’ of CWA in our local area. We are building relationships with care homes and managing a scheme of local volunteers to take elderly people on bike rides out of their homes and back into their communities.
By introducing this scheme into Stockton on Tees, we will:
• Build stronger communities
• Tackle issues of social isolation amongst the elderly, disabled and their carers
• Create more engaged and active citizens
The Trishaw
The Trishaw is a specially designed bicycle with a two-seat carriage at the front. The rider is positioned on the saddle behind them, where they can peddle and steer the bike.
What are we raising money for?
Your donation will help us purchase our first specially designed trishaw in order to establish an official Stockton-on-Tees Chapter of the internationally recognised Cycling Without Age initiative. The trishaw will allow us to work with care homes, home care providers, community groups and private residents to explore the Borough along with a carer. This can be great for social wellbeing as well as an opportunity to revisit familiar places and feel the wind in their hair!
Start a chapter in your local area: If you are interested in starting a chapter in your own area, then please follow the link below to get started: http://cyclingwithoutage.org/affiliate/