Innercycle CIO: cycling charity for mental health

Innercycle CIO is a new registered UK charity (1179976) to bring purpose, meaning and direction to people with mental health concerns through personalised cycling plans with access to accredited therapists and practical help with career choices. www.innercycle.org 

Click here for our explainer videos  outlining provision for those on the cusp of recovery from (or on the verge of) mental health concerns or conditions.

Riding brings a sense of 'feel-good' – backed by clinical studies – and the happiest people also tend to have purpose, meaning and direction.

With your help, those struggling on a daily basis can get back in the saddle to their best – in an ideal job or running a business, even volunteering.

Almost all existing support stops when a person is ready to resume (or is already in) work. The gap is bridged through free individual placement support to enhance resilience and build confidence which minimises risk of relapse and reduces emotional strain, lost productivity, NHS drain and welfare dependency.

– Feel great on a bike with the help of qualified coaches and instructors (choice of road, off-road, BMX)
– Donated and subsidised bicyle offers
– Access to self-paced e-learning at home with useful resources to find meaningful work (or launch a business)
– Choose a local area accredited counsellor for online or face-to-face sessions

Although a new charity, the team evidence decades of grazed knees, emotional scars and mental torment in respective professional disciplines in career guidance, business start-up, therapeutics and cycling – each with stories of 'lived experience': heart-rending personal journeys (and loved ones) affected by mental ill-health.

Funds will not be going into 'ivory tower' plush offices. The founder and acting Chief Executive, Michael Martin is unpaid, so too, the trustees are volunteers without remuneration. An original team of 12 volunteers and one part-time Cycle Lead helped to put infrastructure in place, with a stand-by roster of 40 accredited therapists. Home-based personnel will facilitate community 'outreach' at cycling events and other activities around the UK via local 'hubs'. Eventually, we envisage three motorhomes in Scotland, England and Wales, with Northern Ireland and Eire in due course. Funding will enable direct support for beneficiaries and also contribute towards charity running costs. Please visit www.innercycle.org for more details.

Whether you can help with a one-off donation or can gift regularly please spare whatever you can. The more you can help, the more it helps us help others.

With as little as a couple of pounds a month (the price of a cup of coffee)  we can help people live purpose with meaning and direction.

Innercycle is actively seeking to recruit and also welcomes introductions to prospective volunteers, sponsors and supporters.

With grateful thanks to our partners:

The PwC Foundation, Gildedsplinters, Best Day Ever Creative, The National Counselling Society, Association of Cycle Traders, Mindful Employer, Monty Wilson Films, Balance Health & Fitness, Direct Power Cycle Coaching.

Huge appreciation is extended to our former part-time Cycle Lead, Ellie Forgan, and to Roy Brooks, Andy Croft, Anna Glowinski, Kara Gaetz-Bruce and Matilda Lambert, all of whom have been instrumental in furthering the beginnings of Innercycle on behalf of future beneficiaries.

Thanks to Chris Mills who rode from John O'Groats to Hastings to raise funding of his movement, New Beginnings, and who has kindly raised awareness of Innercycle, and thanks also to Pav Bryan of Direct Power Cycle Coaching.

Thank YOU for your generosity! 
Love, Michael, Steven (our Chair) and our wonderful trustees: Jane, Ann, Andy and Andrew