Addressing loneliness and isolation

The Scottish Government should feel very proud of the project it initiated!

Who would have thought that when Communities Along The Carron Association trialled two Cycling Without Age (CWA) Trishaws in 2016, it would inspire communities across the country to set up their own branches of Cycling Without Age Scotland (“CWAS”) … and change countless lives?

Ten years on, CWAS now has more than 100 branches (“Chapters”) countrywide. Operating 150 Trishaws, more than 1,500 volunteers provide over 32,000 rides every year to more than 45,000 passengers. And every ride is free of charge.

CWAS provides this unique service to anyone of any age, anywhere in Scotland, who has limited mobility or other disabilities or is living with loneliness or isolation. It enriches and enhances not just their lives, but also those of their families, friends and carers – because we put smiles on faces and lift spirits.

And it’s not just passengers benefitting. Our Trishaw riders (aka “Pilots”) experience a unique type of volunteering and exceptional fulfilment, forming close bonds with their passengers as they enable them to feel the joys of being out and about in the fresh air. And our senior volunteer Pilots – and we have many - are themselves getting fitter and for longer.

Our extraordinary progress simply would not have happened without the support of the Scottish Government. Recognising the significant benefits we would bring to the country’s health, wellbeing and social inclusion, it commissioned us in 2017 to roll out this pioneering project countrywide. The financial support and commitment we have received from Active Scotland and Transport Scotland have enabled us to reach almost every part of the country - providing the Government assurance of top class management, safety and governance, but remaining a grass-roots community led organisation.

We repay the Government’s support in other ways too, including enhancing the accessibility of Scotland’s tourism through our “Trishaw Rides in Iconic Places” (TRIIP) programme, currently operating in Helix Park, three sites in Glasgow and Dundee’s Waterfront, with more locations in development.

Of the 39 countries around the world currently operating CWA, Scotland is the only one with a national umbrella organisation, i.e. CWAS, co-ordinating activity countrywide, linking volunteers and Chapters, providing rigorous training, a comprehensive maintenance service, insurance, advice and, importantly, encouragement and support.

At our national conference in Dundee in July, opened by Councillor Lynne Short, we were delighted to announce our first formal partnership with the NHS: the first CWAS Chapter to actually be sited in a hospital. The CWAS Forth Valley Royal Hospital Chapter will launch on 22^nd October. This major development emphasises that CWAS is not just about a unique form of transport and promoting active travel, it is also about improving society’s physical and mental health and wellbeing through human contact, mutual support, camaraderie and exercise.

At the CWA international summit in Budapest last month, we were overwhelmed by the admiration shown by country chapters from every corner of the globe for what CWAS achieves and how we operate – a model many of those country chapters want to emulate.

As Wayne Sticher, Community Captain, Cycling Without Age Gold Coast, Australia, said: “We continue to be bowled over by what CWAS is doing. It’s not just your amazing numbers but the spirit with which you do everything and the enthusiasm you generate everywhere. It’s a brilliant national model which we wish we had, as we do the fantastic support you get from your government. What that enables you to do is top class. Keep it up!”

We certainly will keep it up - and look out for further developments!

This article is sponsored by CWAS (Cycling Without Age Scotland)

cwas.org