Summary
We provide supervised rides for young people with disabilities autism, challenging behaviour, mental health, and their carers and specially adapted equipment, either at our track or with them on Outreach, visiting their clubs or support groups.
What Highland Cycle Ability Centre did
Did not do short breaks
What Watermill Foundation has learned
Reaching out to and engaging with new families
Targeting families most in need of support
Dealing with unexpected challenges or opportunities
Finding other sources of funding
How Watermill Foundation has benefitted from the funding
Has allowed us to fulfil the hoped for targets, and allowed us to give
so many carers and those they care for, pleasure, freedom , company and well being.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Disabled children and young people will have more opportunities to have fun, develop friendship and do activities they enjoy.
Results
We had not anticipated how many enjoyed the freedom and relaxation of
being out after the lockdowns of Covid.
We thought we would have 500 carers - we had 673
We thought we would have 350 young people - we had 742.
I think these numbers speak for themselves, and demonstrate the popularity of the project.
Case study
The visit to Shetland demonstrated the requirement for the project and as a result some families have purchased special cycles. This has been of great benefit to those few individuals and we have been asked to return.
Outcome
More carers taking part in the physical activity with or without those they care for.
Results
Carers and young people taking part exceeded all expected numbers.
Carers number 673, with young people 742.
A lot of these were from the Shetland visit where cycles like these had not been seen before. Ohers enjoyed seeing them again. Among new people were holiday makers.
Case study
A family with severely disable daughter now attends regularly with her carers to enjoy the freedom of a cycle instead of a wheelchair, and enjoy less tantrums.
Outcome
The freedom for parents and siblings to get a break knowing that those they look after are enjoying themselves.
Results
The numbers tell the story.
Case study
The parents of William have stated they have a better sleep pattern and fewer tantrums, and less mood swings. William is a weekly attender.
Outcome
Well being improved by meeting others
Results
Carers have stated that the friends made are very advantageous.
Case study
Marianne brings picnic lunch to have in the grounds after cycling, where she meets others having picnic lunch