A York social enterprise is offering biking outings to people with dementia. Kate Liptrot reports.

PEOPLE living with dementia are taking part in a pioneering cycling programme which aims to help transform their lives.

Get Cycling has teamed up with the Fulford care home Connaught Court, to take dementia patients on weekly companion cycle rides.

Residents join staff members of the social enterprise to go out on tandem tricycles along the riverside and around the city.

So far, many of the residents at the care home have taken part in as well as family members, with a 94-year-old woman with dementia – who hasn’t cycled since she was in her twenties – heading out on a bike ride with her daughter.

The programme has been part-funded by the York-based Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Jim McGurn, chief executive of Get Cycling, said: “This is very much a pilot programme so we can learn how from our experiences, and extend the programme in the following period.

“We are grateful to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for their financial support. People can chat and don’t have to take responsibility for cycling. We think it has been very helpful and could be used across the country and be the start of lots of dementia cycling groups.

“It’s about wellbeing, exercise and mental stimulation. Those who have taken part have become very animated, talk more and have enjoyed getting out.”

There is a free offer throughout October for individuals with dementia and their relative or carer to take part in a try out session through Get Cycling.

A dementia cycling open day is being held at Get Cycling’s HQ in Hospital Fields Road in Fulford,on Thursday.

Get Cycling is a unique not-for-profit community enterprise specialising in bike try-out roadshows and programmes throughout the UK, for local authorities and businesses. Its national headquarters are in York.

* Get Cycling are offering a choice of over 20 different formats of cycle, to meet the individual needs of people with dementia, including conventional bikes for people who can ride them, but need to go cycling with a carer-companion. The offer is subject to availability. To take part, phone 01904 636812.