Ride, Stride and Thrive

 

What is Ride, Stride and Thrive?

Ride, Stride and Thrive is Doncaster’s Active Travel Social Prescribing pilot supporting people to walk, wheel and cycle more in their local community. The City of Doncaster Council is one of only 11 local authorities across England who have been awarded funding from Active Travel England to deliver a pilot offering FREE activities to help people take their first steps towards a more active lifestyle and make long lasting healthy changes.

Our friendly, trained Ride, Stride and Thrive team take the time to understand each person individually and support them to build walking, wheeling, and cycling into their lives through every day short journeys such as to the shops, work or to see friends and family. We support adults with long term physical or mental health conditions and our activities are accessible for all abilities and fitness levels, including wheelchair users.

As a pilot we are currently focused on supporting residents in Balby, Bentley and Wheatley. In the future we hope we can grow to support more communities in Doncaster, however in the meantime we are pleased to signpost to other support or activities to get people walking, wheeling, and cycling more, contact us to find out what else is available.

What is available?

Ride, Stride and Thrive offers a range of FREE activities. All participants are supported throughout by the Ride, Stride and Thrive team who will help break down any barriers to walking, wheeling, and cycling in the community and set tailored, manageable steps to achieve a person’s individual goals.

Cycling

Regardless of whether someone wants to learn to ride for the first time or just hasn’t ridden in a while and wants to improve their confidence, we offer cycling activities that are inclusive and accessible to everyone. Adapted bikes and conventional bikes are available to use during both training and led rides meaning no equipment is needed to get involved. There is a lot of support available for people who want to cycle in Doncaster, and we can also connect people to other support such as bike maintenance workshops, bike and e-bike loans.

Cycle Training

We are pleased to offer a range of cycle training adapted to a person’s needs and goals. Delivered by our partners at Pedal Ready, their qualified and experienced trainers tailor fun 45 minute sessions to individual needs to help people feel safe and confident on a bike. All sessions can be delivered one to one, or with friends, family, carers or support workers depending on preference. 

For those new to cycling or with low confidence we offer learn to ride and level 1 cycle training in a traffic-free environment. Once a person has built up their confidence, they can choose to complete level 2 or level 3 cycle training on local roads and cycle paths, join a led ride or be supported to create a Personalised Travel Plan to use their new skills to get out and about in the community.

“My confidence has improved as well as now I can ride both a trike and bike independently. and I plan on one day riding to and from my volunteer job with support initially then hopefully one day independently”

Led Rides

Led rides are a great way to continue building confidence on a bike and discover new cycle routes in a safe environment. Like the cycle training, the rides are led by the qualified and experienced trainers from Pedal Ready and are inclusive and tailored to suit all abilities. The rides are delivered to small groups to offer the chance for participants to meet like-minded people whilst getting used to cycling in the community.

“It's nice to have someone to ride with […} just having somebody just chat and sort of vibe with”

Walking

Walking is a great way to explore where you live, discover new places and improve your health and wellbeing.

All walking activities are suitable for all abilities and are designed to be inclusive for wheelchairs and mobility aids. We have walking poles available for people to use so all that is needed is a comfortable pair of shoes!

Led Walks

Led walking groups are delivered by the Ride, Stride and Thrive team and are a fantastic way to get out and about in the community whilst chatting to fellow walkers. Please see our timetable for more information about each walk. 

Keep an eye out as we also offer a range of themed walks throughout the year!

“It wasn’t just about exercise, it was a bit of company as well.”

One to One Walks

The Ride, Stride and Thrive team offer the opportunity for one to one supported walks. Although we know a lot of great routes, these walks are completely personalised so the distance, where they start and where they go to is planned with the person, we can even start it from their front door!

The one to one walks are perfect for people who want to take that first step to walking in the community or who may have been inactive for a prolonged period as they help to build confidence, fitness and knowledge of the community. 

Travel Planning

Personalised Travel Planning

The Ride, Stride and Thrive team offer tailored advice and work with people to create individual travel plans to help people make more walking, wheeling, and cycling journeys. Whether it’s to the shops, work, a group activity, or to see friends and family, we have lots of helpful resources to help people discover new routes and get them to where they want to be. We can provide information to support people to travel by foot, cycle or public transport and can even do a practice journey to help build a person’s confidence to try a new way for the first time.

“I've just got mental health problems and feel like they get the better of me sometimes and so it helped that as well…..And I just did the sessions to help me with anxiety”

Timetable

We want to break down barriers to residents moving more so if a person wants to attend any of the activities, but timings, access or transport are an issue, please contact us and we will endeavour to organise a session to meet the person’s needs.

Cycle Training

When: Every Monday (starting 9th December), 45 minute sessions are available between 10am-1pm.

Starting point: St Catherine’s House, Woodfield Park, Tickhill Road, Balby, DN4 8QP

*please note booking is essential for cycle training, please complete the referral form or contact us.

Led Rides

When: Every Monday (starting 9th December) at 11am-12pm.

Starting point: St Catherine’s House, Woodfield Park, Tickhill Road, Balby, DN4 8QP

*please note booking is essential for led rides, please complete the referral form or contact us.

Led Walks

Hexthorpe Flatts Park

When: Every Tuesday 10.30am-11.30am

Starting point: Entrance to the park, just off Greenfield Lane, Balby, DN4 0HY

Details: A gentle walk around the paths of Hexthorpe Flatts Park. This walk takes place on well maintained footpaths within the park, with the option of walking around The Dell. There are a number of steps/slopes within The Dell, however there is a flat pathway which is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility aids. There are several benches and seating areas around the route.

The route is 0.46 miles/0.6miles and takes approx. 30 minutes, or can be extended to 1.1 miles and takes 60 minutes.

All abilities and fitness levels are welcome.

Led Walks Flyer - Hexthorpe Flatts Park
Download (1.31MB - PDF)

One to One Walks

One to one walks are organised at a time and place to suit the person, it could be from the local library, park, GP, or even their front door! Please complete the referral form or contact us, and the team will be in touch to arrange a session.

Personalised Travel Planning

Personalised Travel Planning sessions are organised at a time and place to suit the person. Please complete the referral form or contact us, and the team will be in touch to arrange a session.

Referral Form

Whether you would like to self-refer, refer someone you know or refer someone you are working with, please complete the referral form

Within 2 working days of a referral the person referred will be contacted to arrange a first meeting with the Ride, Stride and Thrive team or to book them on to their chosen activity.

Contact us

Why not pop in to one of our drop-in sessions to meet our Ride, Stride and Thrive team and have a chat? We can answer any questions you have or complete a referral in person.

Drop-in dates coming soon!

Alternatively, you can contact the team to arrange a call or meeting at a time to suit you:

ridestrideandthrive@doncaster.gov.uk

07929 655966