Cycling opportunity in the great outdoors for families

Cycling days at Clifton Road

Families of adults and children with additional needs have been the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of a family day out cycling in the great outdoors thanks to an innovative new Midland Mencap and Birmingham Wheels for All initiative.

Over the last 18 months, Midland Mencap, in partnership with Birmingham Wheels for All, have hosted a total of 6 cycle days for adults with learning disabilities, children with additional needs, and their parents and siblings. By using specially adapted cycles and Wheels for All trained leaders, the activities are both physically and mentally stimulating, and fun for everyone involved.

Laura Gilmour, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator at Midland Mencap said, “For many families who have a loved one with additional needs, opportunities to take part in an activity together as a family can be few and far between. Our partnership with Birmingham Wheels for All is enabling children and adults with additional needs and all the family to enjoy the benefits of cycling, at any ability, in an inclusive and sociable environment. ”

So far this year, Midland Mencap have hosted 2 open cycling events and more have been scheduled to take place during the summer, giving even more families the opportunity to take part. While this project is primarily Birmingham-based at the moment, there are plans in the pipeline to also make inclusive cycling opportunities available to families further afield in future. Watch this space!

For more information about this exciting new initiative, contact the Midland Mencap Health and Wellbeing team on 0121 427 6404.