Elder Care Rides
These are for elders living in Care. Weekly set-schedule, piloted by our team of trained Volunteer Cycle-Pilots. We collect and return participants to their care home by trike. Pilots are trained in disability and dementia support skills and provided with ongoing support.
Volunteer Cycle-Pilot Team
Come join our MBE award-winning volunteer team?
Volunteer Pilots operate our Elder Care Ride Service with full training and ongoing support from our 2 staff.
Consistent 50:50 ratio of women/men, they are the majority of our charity team.
Friendly and experienced. Trained in cycle skills, disability and dementia support.
Ride out year-round (light rain and medium winds don't stop rides!)
Always keen to hear from prospective volunteers - Email hello@pedalpeople.org.uk for more info.
Volunteer Cycle-Pilot stories
Charmaine - Volunteer since 2020
We cycle out with elders, many living with dementia– it could be that the hour we cycle is the only time they’re out all week or even month. Your world gets smaller as you get older and it makes a huge difference to get out and see stuff you’ve been able to see all your life. I cycled with one gentleman who was blind – so I explained to him as we went what I could see. He told me about his youth and a particular beach groyne he used to jump off as a kid. So I made sure we got there and took a picture of him just above it, so he could show his family.
People want to stop and talk to the participants, to find out if they’re having a good time. And if there’s a dog or baby, they’re always happy about that. Everyone just gets it and loves it; lots of people are touched by dementia in some way. It’s not just the participants but all of us pilots who feel better for doing it.
Derek - Volunteer since 2020
I enjoyed the training given, particularly learning about dementia. In my opinion the organisation is very professional which gives me the skills and confidence to support the elders.
It feels like such a worthwhile thing to do. The smiles, positive feedback from the elders, their relatives and the public that see us, makes me very happy.
It’s great being outside and riding all year round; we seldom cancel a ride except in extreme weather. Conversing with the elders as they chat and reminisce is a privilege and pleasure. I think I might get as much out of our rides as the elders do!
For the elders it is a chance to get out of their care homes and feel the wind, the sun (and occasionally the rain) on their faces. It gets them into the wider community where they can interact with others. There is always something different to see and they enjoy chatting with us, each other and the smiles and waves from the public as we ride along.
Rachel Volunteer since 2017
I just love talking to our participants. It’s a great to see not just their faces, but the joy we bring to everyone else we meet. I’ve been a volunteer pilot since the beginning – one of the originals! Learning about dementia, how it works and impacts each person has been interesting. While recent memories are seldom present, memories of their younger self are often clearer. Once I was cycling with this lovely gentleman past the King Alfred and he told me how he used to take his wife to do ballroom dancing there. Some people have war stories, many remember The Grand Hotel bombing. It’s really interesting, but gradually, we’re losing those stories from our collective memory. They’re so grateful to be out, by the sea. I’m really lucky to be able to do it. My kids think it’s cool; when they were younger we used to take them to Autumn Lodge care home for a party pilots were invited to. I’m proud we’ve been awarded the MBE too.
Tony Volunteer since 2020
Sometimes I have plenty of free time and other times life gets in the way. I’ve found the flexibility of commitment really helpful. The scheme is well-organised, with excellent communication, making it easy to just turn up and go. The booking app is simple, and working in pairs is a bonus—I've met some fantastic fellow pilots.
Spending time with our elders is incredibly rewarding; I've learned so much about their fascinating lives, backgrounds, and careers. Interacting with people of all generations, from children to elders, broadens my horizons and perspectives.
For many elders, getting out is a rare treat, and the rides become mini-adventures. Their appreciation after each outing is heartwarming. It's also fun to connect with passers-by, especially dog lovers. Many passers-by stop to say hello.
Having dementia in my family, I see the immense mental health benefits of doing activities outside the home.
MEET THE VOLUNTEER CYCLE-PILOT CREW
Most volunteer for over a year and often longer.
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