In the news: Accessible cycling available for Basildon residents thanks to regional partnership

The sessions are made possible thanks to £41,000 of funding from the Active Essex Local Delivery Pilot, and £45,000 additional 'in kind' funding from local partners - including Basildon Council, Sport for Confidence, Everyone Active, Sport England and Cycling UK. 

The Active Essex Local Delivery Pilot aims to address health inequalities by tackling the barriers that prevent people from accessing physical activity. It is funded by Sport England and delivered in Basildon through a partnership between Basildon Council and Active Essex. 

The accessible cycling sessions are delivered at Basildon Sporting Village by Sport for Confidence. There are a range of cycles available to suit individual need - including tricycles, wheelchair transport cycles, side-by-side tandems and handcycles. The Sport for Confidence Inclusive Cycling Programme provides sessions for a wide range of participants, including: 

• older people 

• those living with physical and learning disabilities 

• those living with mental health conditions 

• those living with autism 

• those living with dementia 

• carers  

• people with low confidence 

The therapeutic use of cycling has been proven to enable positive physical and mental wellbeing. The sessions encourage participants to build their confidence and foster new social relationships, while improving their health by getting active in a supported environment. 

To find out more about therapeutic cycling at Basildon Sporting Village, and to see what else is on offer through the Sport For Confidence Programme visit sportforconfidence.com and click on the 'Our Services' tab. 

Cllr Jeff Henry, Basildon Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, Leisure, Arts and Culture, welcomed the return of the sessions: "These sessions bring all the benefits of cycling to those who may otherwise face barriers, and it is fantastic to see local people improving their health and wellbeing through these support sessions.  

"We want Basildon to be home to healthy and active local communities - that means making physical activity accessible for all and supporting everyone to get active. Thank you to Sport for Confidence and all the partners of the Local Delivery Pilot for making this possible." 

Megan Potts, Clinical Lead and Occupational Therapist, Sport For Confidence, says: "Through the introduction of adaptive bikes in a supported, safe environment that embraces the individual needs of those involved, many more people can get involved in an activity so many of us take for granted. It's a sad fact that disabled people are half as likely as the rest of the population to be active. Through creating accessible opportunities like this, we break down barriers to participation, tackling inequalities and creating environments that encourage everyone to thrive."  

Juliette Raison, Active Essex Relationship Manager said: "It's fantastic that the Active Essex Local Delivery Pilot has been able to work alongside Basildon Council to support Sport for Confidence on this exciting new initiative. Ensuring physical activity is for all is our top priority, and this provides an opportunity to ensure older people, families and residents living with a disability or long term health condition can access cycling, reduce social isolation, bring the community together and break down barriers to activity." 

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Published 8 August 2023