Cycling Without Age started in Denmark in 2012 with the aim of combatting social isolation and loneliness. Since 2012, Cycling Without Age has spread into 3,050 chapter locations, covering towns and cities across 39 countries. The YOU Trust runs the Portsmouth and Hayling Island chapter of this international initiative.
Our goal is to reduce social isolation and loneliness in Portsmouth and Hayling Island. By giving our residents the opportunity to get out and about, we help tackle social isolation. It gives riders the opportunity to engage with the younger generation too.
Isolation and loneliness can be caused by a whole range of issues. It might be caused by a health condition, bereavement, family issues, or even returning from Covid restrictions. We have a team of over 60 volunteers who provide safe rides, free of charge, seven days a week.
Our fully trained and DBS-checked volunteers pilot our electric Triobikes. They take participants around Portsmouth or Hayling Island to re-experience the sights and sounds of their local communities.
Our pilots come from a variety of backgrounds, which allows us to ‘buddy up’ participants with a pilot who shares common interests. This allows lasting relationships to form, and the sharing of intergenerational stories which may have otherwise been long forgotten.
All pilots are current, competent cyclists with a strong awareness of road safety and legislation. They all offer a kind ear, good conversation, and have undertaken lengthy training.
Community
We are building strong community ties by partnering with, and supporting, various local charities who share our goals and ethos. By supporting local groups, we are better able to access a greater proportion of the isolated residents of our city, and can assist them within familiar surroundings on their journey back into societal life.
We have received fantastic support from local businesses, like Lightning Safety Systems Ltd. who generously donated towards a brand new trike.
If you are a local business and want to uplift your community, we are looking for community sponsorship. If you are considering sponsoring us, please contact us at cyclingwithoutage@theyoutrust.org.uk to discuss any sponsorship opportunities or to donate to the project, as this allows us to continue to offer our service free of charge to local residents in need of our support.
Cycling Without Age leaflet
Contact us
If you, or someone you know would benefit from joining us, and is a Portsmouth resident within the PO1-PO6 catchment area, you can apply to Cycling Without Age by downloading our self-referral form and returning it to cyclingwithoutage@theyoutrust.org.uk.
Alternatively, if you are a patient at the following Primary Care Networks then you can access the service by speaking with their reception team or Link Workers. You do not need to see your doctor to get a referral.
- Brunel Primary Care Network (Uni-City Medical Centre, The lighthouse Group Practice and East Shore Partnership)
- Southcoast Primary Care Network (Trafalgar Medical Group, and Craneswater Group Practice)
- Hayling Island and Emsworth Primary Care Network (The Elms Practice, Waterside Medical Practice and Emsworth Medical Practice)
