Boosting health through cycling: Meet Jacqueline Sharp, Assistant Practitioner Occupational Therapy at Fieldhead Mental Health Hospital

"Cycling has been an excellent opportunity for us all to get out and about, take some exercise, and enjoy the great outdoors and each other’s company – a great boost for both staff and patients."

Since May 2017 patients at Fieldhead have been accessing free cycle training through our Cycle 4 Health scheme to aid their recovery.

The scheme, delivered in partnership with Cycling UK, is aimed at tackling health inequalities by providing people with long-term conditions with the skills to start and continue cycling over 12 weeks of training.

Jacqueline has played a key role in developing Cycle 4 Health at Fieldhead, providing a vital link with patients, riding alongside participants each week and rediscovering her love of cycling for the first time since she was a teenager.

She said: “Cycling has been an excellent opportunity for us all to get out and about, take some exercise, and enjoy the great outdoors and each other’s company – a great boost for both staff and patients.

“We’ve used cycling as a way of helping patients establish regular routines and habits away from the hospital setting, encouraging people to consider options for the future – including accessing an affordable means of transport – in a safe, fun and encouraging environment.

“A successful therapeutic activity is one which promotes a change in either habit, routine, motivation, or practical skills.

“Cycling ticks all of these boxes and more, bringing benefits for the body, mind and soul, and with the promise of a positive change in one area influencing positive change in the other areas of people’s lives.”