Double the fun!

It was double the fun on Cleethorpes seafront when we took not one but two triobikes for a spin.

St Hugh’s Hospital’s director, Ashley Brown, joined regular triobike ‘pilot’ Gary Allington, our facilities manager and community officer, for multiple trips along the prom.

As usual, our passengers were members of the charity Friendship At Home. We proudly sponsor the befriending organisation’s St Hugh’s Project and taking older people out for a ride is part of tackling isolation and loneliness in our communities. We own a triobike and the second was kindly loaned to us for the day by NAViGO, the not-for-profit social enterprise providing mental health care in North East Lincolnshire and our neighbours in Peaks Lane, Grimsby,

We might be edging towards the end of the summer, with an autumnal nip in the air, but there’s nothing quite like a bracing jaunt in a triobike, taking in stunningscenery, too.

Ashley explained: “The triobike is powered by battery and adapted to comfortably seat two front-facing passengers.

We teamed up with Friendship At Home some time ago to offer their members use of the bike and the feedback is always brilliant… and we ‘pilots’ get to enjoy it, too.

“It’s wonderful to know that something as simple as the triobike can have so much benefit to people’s wellbeing.”

Among those enjoying our most recent trip were Shirley Pegg and her daughter Jo. Shirley is a regular face at Friendship At Home, attending bingo sessions, the Memory Lane Choir, and the more recently launched Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) group, which we had the pleasure of attending earlier this year (read all about it here: hmtsthughs.org/talking-to-others-who-understand-is-a-blessing).

Grandfather-of-three and father-of-three Brian Sutcliffe, who worked as a bus driver in Grimsby and Cleethorpes for 40 years before retiring, joined Friendship At Home earlier this year. The lifelong Billy Fury fan is also a member of the Memory Lane Choir and took the chance of a turn on the triobike with Vera, who first came to Friendship At Home as a potential member but now volunteers with the choir.

It’s safe to say that everyone who turned out on the seafront for the doubled-up rides had great fun, giving big thumbs-ups all the way!

We recently put out an appeal for people to become volunteer pilots. If you like cycling, getting a feel-good buzz, and have a few hours to spare, then the triobike could be for you. Because it is battery assisted, it’s easy to pedal and operate. There is full training and support; all you need is a little time to donate, as well as yourself. If you want to get involved or find out more, contact Friendship At Home on 01472 602500.

Find out more about NAViGO at navigocare.co.uk