Triobike: Park life
We’ve been out and about again on the St Hugh’s Hospital triobike.
As reported, the special cycle is designed to transport two passengers at a time in a comfortable front-facing seat, while driven by a ‘pilot’ behind.
We purchased a triobike some time ago to help make a difference within the community by using it to give rides to people who perhaps otherwise can’t connect with the places they live in. We teamed up with Friendship At Home, a Grimsby-based charity that befriends and supports older people in their own homes. Their vital work in combatting loneliness and isolation is exactly what we bought the triobike for, and we haven’t looked back since… well, apart from when we’re actually riding the bike, that is!
The sun came out in force at the beautiful Haverstoe Park, in Cleethorpes, for the latest trips on the triobike, meaning passengers were able to admire the lovely floral displays and lush vegetation at their best. And, as usual, the wonderful team at Haverstoe Park Pavilion were on hand with essential supplies in the form of drinks and butties.
Friends Margaret Hurrell and Janet Stevens, both aged in their 70s, have been attending virtual meetings together through Friendship At Home’s tablet scheme. Now activities are beginning to re-start once again following Covid-19 restrictions, they have made a pledge to enjoy a mini adventure together every fortnight… and one of the first was a ride on the triobike.
They enjoyed it so much, in fact, that they had two trips! Margaret thought it was amazing that this sort of activity was available… and had never been on a bike before!
More passengers were on hand to enjoy the sunshine and a trip around the park, too. Mandy Sparkes, a dementia community support worker for the charity, said: “Everyone had a great day, and the sun was shining for us all!”
Find out more about Friendship At Home here (https://www.friendshipathome.org.uk) or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/friendshipathome).
And take a gander at what Haverstoe Park Pavilion has to offer on its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HaverstoePavilion). It has a café, community room, sports changing rooms and public toilets.
Find out more…
- Friendship At Home aims to combat loneliness and isolation throughout North East Lincolnshire, and to improve people’s quality of life. Get involved here –www.friendshipathome.org.uk
- The Cycle Hub – with bases at Grimsby’s and Cleethorpes’s railway stations – is a community interest company. Visit www.cyclehublincs.org.uk
- Good food, hot drinks and more are on offer at Haverstoe Park Pavilion. Find them here – facebook.com/HaverstoePavilion
- Cycling Without Age is a worldwide movement – head over to https://cyclingwithoutage.org
- Thanks to TransPennine Express for storing our triobike. Visit www.tpexpress.co.uk
We’d like to say a big thank-you to Cleethorpes Cycle Hub for repairing our triobike over the weekend, and to TransPennine Express and the booking office at Cleethorpes Railway Station for storing it through the pandemic. They have played their part in getting the triobike back into our community… so thank you!
If you think you could volunteer as a triobike pilot, get in touch with Friendship At Home on 01472 602500. Full training and support will be given.