Fighting addiction in Ayrshire with the Cycle Access Fund

Andrew Downie, Funding Manager at Harbour Ayrshire, says that working with Cycling UK’s Cycle Access Fund has “provided an opportunity to expand our current programmes”, explaining that the fund offers additional support for people who use the charity’s services through improving physical and mental health.

Harbour Ayrshire aims to empower people who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, helping them to become independent and integrate back into their communities.

“Harbour Ayrshire is embedded at the very core of the community to support the most vulnerable people across the most marginalised communities who are affected by drug and alcohol addiction.”

Based in Ayr, the charity has established volunteer-led peer support groups across Ayrshire, creating opportunities for people to build a life free from addiction.

Building confidence and community

“Our work seeks to improve self-confidence, esteem, improve life aspirations, build stronger and more resilient communities and save lives.”

Using the Cycle Access Fund’s Individual Bike Ownership funding strand, Harbour Ayrshire has been able to provide participants who otherwise couldn’t afford them with their own bikes.

“The bikes have given an added level to our activities and made them more accessible for participants to travel to,” Andrew explains. The cost of public transport, along with the charity’s wide catchment area, means that getting to activities can be challenging for some participants. The bikes have changed that.

Since getting the bike, it has made it easier to get to more recovery meetings. It has helped me get out more. I enjoy going to the beach where I do my meditation and the bike makes it so much quicker. I really appreciate having the bike. It’s brilliant and I look forward to using it more coming into the better weather SM, Cycle Access Fund beneficiary

Having the bikes has allowed participants to travel independently to activities. The charity has linked the use of the bikes with its pickleball meet-ups, for example, helping recipients with their fitness and physical health.

Since I have been fortunate to have the bike, it has motivated me onto a bigger fitness journey. With more walking and participating in pickleball, I have lost 3 stone. It has helped massively with my social life, meeting with friends and going on regular bike rides, enjoying the countryside and building more positive relationships. Overall my physical and mental health have seen substantial improvements and I express my grateful thanks GM, Cycle Access Fund beneficiary

Better engagement

Participants can engage more fully with Harbour Ayrshire, too. Andrew says that some “have a tendency to come and go”.

He explains: “We have a stepped programme of participation through to helper and volunteer, and it is the volunteers who have worked with us over six months that have the opportunity to receive a bike. It gives them an incentive to commit to the programme.”

The funding has also encouraged recipients of the bikes to learn some cycle maintenance through the bike shop that supplied the bikes. They have learnt how to keep their bikes in good repair and do minor adjustments. “This makes them more confident as cyclists,” says Andrew.

The bikes are making a difference in the wider community too. Several of Harbour Ayrshire’s beneficiaries also take part in groups and activities outside of those offered by the charity. Being able to travel by bike has made this easier for them, expanding their involvement in the community.

“It has helped them re-integrate into the community and has helped ‘normalise’ people with addictions.”

Having the bike has made me get out in the fresh air more and be more active. Weekly bike rides with my daughter are something we both look forward to as we get to spend quality time together GB, Cycle Access Fund beneficiary

Greater visibility

Harbour Ayrshire has also benefited from greater visibility due to the Cycle Access Fund bikes, says Andrew. Demonstrating how the charity is “active in the community, supporting family and participants in the addiction programme”.

It has also opened up new opportunities for partnering with other organisations. Andrew adds that through their use of social media messages and stories has led to an increased interest in cycling from the wider community.

When asked what’s next for Harbour Ayrshire, Andrew says: “We would like to give out more bikes to those who need them.”

He acknowledges the importance of family, saying that they would like to have the capacity to support better family connections “and maybe provide bikes to children in [participants’] families as well to build an opportunity for them to connect with their kids”.

Since having the bike, I have been outdoors a lot more. It has motivated me to start working on my mental health. My daughter has just learned to cycle – she loves that we can go out together, cycling, that has brought us closer together CS, Cycle Access Fund beneficiary

The Cycle Access Fund receives funding from a Scottish Government People and Place grant, administered and supported in the west of Scotland by SPT.