Page 11 - Real Rochdale Issue 12 Winter 2021

CYCLING WITHOUT AGE: “A number of councillors from Pennines “We would also like people who want to

Township, who contributed a large percentage
become volunteer pilots to get in touch.”
CONNECTING WITH THE of the funding for the trishaw, attended and Rochdale Cycling Without Age was borne out
some of them had a go as passengers. They
of the global Cycling Without Age
loved the idea and pledged to continue to
GREAT OUTDOORS support the project,” said Dianne. movement, which tackles the loneliness and
isolation experienced by senior citizens when
“The comments support our belief that we can
they become confined to their own homes.
improve the lives of older people who are
feeling socially isolated and lonely by getting Having recently reached the UK, Cycling
them out and about in the fresh air on the Without Age was launched in Copenhagen
trishaw.” in 2012 by Ole Kassow, enabling volunteers
to visit local care and senior citizen facilities
Rochdale Cycling Without Age has also been around the community to offer residents an
chosen as the beneficiary charity of the year opportunity to be a passenger.
by NCompass, an organisation which supports
unpaid carers in their caring role. Funds raised Since launching, communities over the UK
by NCompass will go towards the costs of a have been inspired to rally together and fund
second trishaw. more trishaws so that they can offer local
elderly residents the freedom to get outdoors
Dianne added: “The representatives were and explore the world around them.
blown away by the trishaw and the fun that
the passengers were having.” For more information, or to express
interest in volunteering, please contact
She continued: “We are now looking for older Rochdale Cycling Without Age via Facebook,
people with mobility issues who are socially email rochdale@cyclingwithoutage.org.uk or
isolated or lonely to get in touch so that we call 01706 508140.
Councillor Amna Mir, Councillor Daalat Ali, Dianne David (back can arrange to take them out on trishaw rides.
in high-viz) with passengers and Councillor Janet Emsley

A new initiative to improve the lives of older people who are

feeling socially isolated and lonely officially launched in

September at Hare Hill Extra Care in Littleborough.

Non-profit group Rochdale Cycling Without local councillors had the chance to ride as
Age aims to tackle loneliness by taking senior passengers on the day.
citizens out into the community on free bike
rides, using a specially adapted ‘trishaw’ – a Dianne said: “The weather was truly awful,
three-wheel cycle with a passenger cab in but we still managed to have a great day. We
front. took some older people out on our brand-new
trishaw and they thoroughly enjoyed
Started by Dianne David, of Littleborough, themselves.
who used to work in the adult care sector,
Rochdale Cycling Without Age took several “One lady dressed up for the occasion and
senior citizens out into the fresh air during the brought a Union Jack to wave whilst on the
launch at the Rochdale Boroughwide Housing ride. The passengers gave really positive
scheme. feedback with one saying, ‘I loved the fresh air,
meeting people and I haven’t done anything
The cost of the trishaw was part-funded by like this for years’ and another saying she had
the Pennines Township earlier this year and a brilliant time and found it exciting.” Photo: Cycling without Age, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2021 10 11 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2021