
Finding new places to explore: Meet new walker Mick Scholey
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We caught up with Mick to find out how joining a walking group, organised by Family Fit CIC and funded by a grant from CityConnect, has helped him make new friends.
We’re proud to work with organisations already at the heart of our communities to provide tailored support, helping people overcome transport barriers and access employment, education, training and leisure opportunities by bike or on foot.
We’re proud to work with organisations already at the heart of our communities to provide tailored support, helping people overcome transport barriers and access employment, education, training and leisure opportunities by bike or on foot.
Since 2018 we have awarded 35 organisations across West Yorkshire a total of more than £225,000 funding. Our community grant schemes invite not-for-profit organisations to bid for grants to deliver grassroots initiatives enabling people living and working in their community to cycle and walk more.
Each project focuses on providing local solutions to local barriers with initiatives ranging from pool bikes and bike loans to led cycles and walks, increasing people’s confidence on two wheels, route planning, building employment skills through activities such as bike maintenance, and connecting people with employers through job fairs and work clubs.
Below is an overview of the groups that have been funded through the Community Grants Programme in between 2020 and 2022:
New adapted bikes and engagement sessions with Beechwood School, Keighley
Guided and self-guided photography walks
Ride leader training to increase capacity of group rides and a summer cycle festival day
Bike subscription service linked to local schools
Creation of a recognised route linking Ripon and Bradford, a booklet guide, and launch event at Bradford Cathedral
Community led walks, showcasing the proximity and features of local routes
Walking groups for local BAME women
Cycle and maintenance training for isolated people from marginalised communities, and a programme of walks showcasing the benefits to wellbeing
Led walks for parents (from school gates) and weekend family cycle training
A project encouraging young people to travel to local amenities by bike
A walking and exercise group, focused on addressing health issues which particularly affect the BAME community
Guided rides for people with learning difficulties
Cycling activities for young people at risk of drug abuse and crime
A walking group led by and for students with dependants
Dr Bike sessions and balance biking for children aged 2-5 who have high levels of inactivity
Cycle training offer to female parents to encourage a more active family lifestyle
Creation of a community bike workshop
Led walks for older or inactive people
Led walks and creation of 10 Know My Area walking packs
Translation of Louisa Fennell walk guide to make community and themed guided walks accessible to non-English speakers
Led walks and runs for isolated members of community
Expansion of existing self-guided (QR code) walk and delivery of led walks around Horbury
Bikes to enable a cycling arm of the Man Matters project, targeting vulnerable adult males
Led walks for elderly member of the community who suffer from mobility issues, either existing or triggered by COVID-19 restrictions
Group walk-and-talk sessions for young people suffering from bereavement (and their families/carers)
Walk/Scoot/Dance/Run school challenge plus subsidised scooters
Hiring ebikes trial with Huddersfield University
Reconditioned bikes for asylum seekers in Kirklees with cycle training
Loan bike scheme for community with bike mechanic training for volunteers
Programme of wellbeing walks to support people at risk of mental health problems
Filmmaking project with local communities who are making a film about a cycling and walking route in their area, which will then be used to showcase the area to a wider audience
Women only bike rides for BAME community, targeting those who have suffered as a result of COVID-19 restrictions
Coordination of existing local walking, cycling and running and addition of new activities.
Promotion of walking, cycling and jogging to young members of the BAME community who are at risk of anti-social behaviour and gang related crime
Themed led walks
Development of walking activities linked to Rastrick group on Field Lane estate
Cargo bike training for Todmorden residents and businesses
Walk leader training and led walks for older people coming out of isolation.
Leaflet and signage for improvement of historical route between Halifax and Hipperholme
Walking group for previously homeless people who are now in a supported living facility
Led walks and park-based exercise sessions targeted at inactive and isolated members of the community
Equipment to enable the continuation of walking and cycling activities started during COVID-19 restrictions
Loan, maintain and ride scheme for asylum seekers new to the community
Programme of family walking and jogging activity in local parks
Walk-and-talk support group for south-Asian women struggling with isolation
Bike recycling project to engage young people on edge of criminal justice system
1:1 Walk and talk sessions for young people, delivered by a wellbeing practitioner
Recycling of bikes to give to people in need
Inclusive walking groups around Bramley
E-bike loan scheme for volunteers
Led walking group for dads and summer picnic event
Walking for older members of LGBT community isolated during COVID-19
Socialisation walks for older people
Walking buddies for older members of BAME community
Accessible local walking information packs for people with mobility impairments
Booklets for a themed walk around Holbeck and engagement with local schools
Weekly health walks for isolated older people
Expand existing cycle group activities to include accessible and inclusive activities
Creation of a bike loan offer from existing hub and training of people to manage this
Bike recycling scheme with redistribution to those in need
Mental health and companionship support walks
Adapted bikes to meet specific needs and training sessions for users
Led walks for older people suffering the physical and mental effect of isolation
Led walks and bikes for led rides to support wellbeing of isolated older males
Led bike rides for refugees to address inactivity and promote the wellbeing of being part of a group
Repair and repurposing of bikes and upskilling of local people to enable them to maintain the bikes
Bike maintenance workshops for primary schools, a local 'cycling summer camp’ and Walking for Health walks targeting older vulnerable people in the community
Weekly walking groups for men suffering from isolation and inactivity
In 2019 The Compton Centre, Harehills, Seacroft’s Community Hub at Deacon House, Seacroft South One Stop Centre and Halton Library received 14 new bikes, 10 new bike lockers, plus spare parts and advance bike maintenance training for a member of staff to service the fleet.
All four community hubs are located near to our segregated cycling and walking route between Seacroft and Leeds city centre – the eastern section of our award-winning Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway.
Find out more information about this initiative.
During 2022 we plan to develop five community cycling and walking hubs across West Yorkshire. These hubs will help deliver West Yorkshire's Connectivity Strategy and make walking and cycling the first choice for short trips, and part of longer journeys by bus and train.
Groundwork Wakefield
Open Country
Lightwaves Community Centre
Streetbikes
Experience Community CIC
Northorpe Hall
Transformers North
Team Ride (opens in Facebook)
Leeds Bike Mill
New Wortley Community Association (opens in Facebook)
Grass Roots Events (opens in Facebook)
St Luke’s Cares and Big Bike Fix (opens in Facebook)
Bradford Capital of Cycling
Scholemoor Beacon CIO
Norwood Neighbourhood Association (opens in Facebook)
BEAP Community Partnership (opens in Facebook)
Bradford Trident
Community Action Bradford and District
LS29 Group
Margaret Carey Foundation
Bolton Road Community Cycle Club (opens in Facebook)
Hop On
Onna Bike
We caught up with Mick to find out how joining a walking group, organised by Family Fit CIC and funded by a grant from CityConnect, has helped him make new friends.
The project has been a huge success receiving glowing reviews from disabled people, their families, carers and our partner organisations