Rural Connections

Thank you for your interest in Rural Connections. This project is no longer running; however, we have a new project in Scotland, Connecting Communities – click the button above for further information

We want everyone in Scotland to have the opportunity to cycle, walk or wheel to get around. Getting active is great for physical and mental health and puts a smile on people’s faces. We know that there are unique circumstances in rural and remote communities, which require a tailored approach. Rural Connections worked with adults of all backgrounds and abilities in Orkney, Highland, Eileanan Siar, Moray ;and Scottish Borders.

Watch how Sian’s life was transformed by getting a trike

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Launching in 2021, our Rural Connections project supported people to walk, wheel and cycle – for everyday journeys, leisure and adventure. We offered:

  • A wide range of cycling and walking activities for all abilities
  • Short- and long-term cycle loans to help people find a cycle that works for them
  • Support for local organisations to coordinate and add walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities to their existing activities
  • Upskilling of volunteers to deliver activities in their communities and keep cycles working if there is no local bike shop
  • Localised networks of organisations, communities and individuals supporting walking and cycling initiatives

Our development officers were embedded in local communities, using their expertise and local knowledge to work closely with community organisations, local businesses, public sector agencies and individuals.

We offered a variety of health walks through our Rural Connections programme.

A health walk:

  • is led by a trained volunteer on a risk assessed route
  • is less than an hour long
  • has a short warm up at the start, followed by a brisk walk and a short cool down at the end
  • welcomes new walkers who would benefit from being more active
  • is a friendly group walk offered regularly
  • is an opportunity to meet new people in your area and explore places you might not have been before

Health walks are aimed at inactive people who would benefit most from doing more physical activity. This can include people who haven’t been active for a while and would like to start again, people recovering from ill health or who are managing a long-term condition and anyone who’s been told by a health professional that they would benefit from being more active.

Volunteering opportunities

You can help and support us to achieve our aims by volunteering with Rural Connections. All of our volunteering roles are advertised online.

Roles available include;

  • Health Walk leader – lead a health walk.
  • Cycle ride leader – lead a group ride.
  • Learn to ride volunteer - Help children or adults to learn to ride or increase cycle skills in group sessions.
  • Buddy ride volunteer – support people to cycle for those everyday journeys by showing them their route, practice safety and positioning and offer general route and riding advice.
  • Tandem pilot - Ride as the front rider on a tandem bike for blind or partially sighted people and provide support and guidance on and off the bike during a ride.
  • Bike maintenance volunteer - Help to keep our bikes in tip top shape.

Contact us

Want to find out more about Rural Connections? Get in touch:

Local authority Contact Facebook page
Orkney Magdalena Choluj Orkney
Highland (Caithness) George Ewing Highland (Caithness)
Moray Iain Bamber Moray
Eileanan Siar Daryll Brown Eileanan Siar
Scottish Borders Scott Runciman Scottish Borders