It’s hoped a scheme that offers inclusive cycling for people of all abilities can expand to support more people across Westmorland and Furness.
National charity Wheels For All has bases in Barrow and Kendal. It now hopes to open in the Penrith area, and to dramatically increase opening hours of its facility in Barrow.
The equipment based in Barrow Park includes bikes and trikes that can carry a wheelchair, tandem tricycles and hand bikes.
These are used by Youth Ability Youth Services on Tuesday afternoons as part of its range of weekly sessions for young people and young adults with or without a disability.
Liam is one of the regulars at the Youth Ability sessions. “You get to go around the park on bikes that are accessible for people. It's fun and entertaining.”
Les McLeese from Youth Ability Youth Services uses the bikes as a tool to do youth work. “They come along for the cycling, but they may have an issue with school or home life or something like that. And that's when our other main work kicks in as youth workers.”
Ian Tierney, the Chief Executive at Wheels For All, is proud of the investment it has made in Barrow. “It has really brought the community together. You feel a need as well, that people want this, and they're keen to get involved.”
He is keen to hear from other groups, support services and care homes that could use the facility for much more of the week. “This is something that should be open three or four days of the week, serving the community, bringing more joy to people, bringing those generations together. This is a fantastic park, with fantastic partners and we just want to grow the service here across Barrow. Then following on from this we are working with partners across Westmorland and Furness we want to create a Wheels for All hub in Penrith.”
Cllr Helen Chaffey, the Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications wants to see more people able to use these facilities. “We know getting some exercise, in the fresh air, in lovely surroundings, with friendly people is great for our wellbeing. The scheme in Barrow was pulled together by Wheels For All, Youth Ability and the council, but those bikes are only used for two hours a week. We’d love to hear from other people who could take advantage so more people can benefit, for more hours of the week.”
To contact Wheels For All about new services in Barrow or Penrith, please email hello@wheelsforall.org.uk.