Cycling case studies
Grant scheme success stories
The Society of St James is a leading Hampshire charity that provides support to adults experiencing homelessness, substance abuse and other complex needs. It works in partnership with the Saints Foundation - the official charity of Southampton Football Club - to deliver its Saints4Sport Project. The initiative aims to help vulnerable adults through a programme of sport-based activities and volunteering and employment opportunities.
The Saints4Sport project was awarded funding through the My Journey to Employment Grant, which supports not-for-profit organisations in and around Southampton to deliver grass-roots engagement to local job seekers, helping them access employment opportunities using active travel modes.
Below are the stories of people who have received free bikes from the Saints4Sport project as a result of the funding. Here they tell us how the scheme has benefited them and the opportunities that cycling has opened up.
Adrian's story
Adrian tells us how his free bike from the Saints4Sport Project has helped him get on the pathway to paid employment.
Piotr's story
Piotr was able to obtain a free bike through his involvement in the Society of St James and the Saints Foundation.
Sean's story
Sean received a bike through the Saints4Sport Project and is now completing an NVQ and accessing voluntary work and placements.
Sara's story
Thanks to the Saints4Sport Project, Sara is now back at work and says her new bike has been 'life changing'.
Kat's story
The Saints4Sport Project provided a bike to Kat, who is now undertaking an NVQ and volunteering opportunities as a result.
Mark's story
Mark has discovered the health and wellbeing benefits of cycling, thanks to his bike from the Saints4Sport Project.
Matt's story
Matt was asked to deliver cycle training as part of the Saints4Sport Project.
Daniel's story
Daniel accessed a bike through the Saints4Sport programme, which he says has given him 'hope for the future'.
Connor's story
Connor has had a new 'lease of life' after receiving a bike from the Society of St James.
Cycle Confidence programmes
My Journey provides free Cycle Confidence sessions through local enterprises Monty's Bike Hub and Bespoke Biking. One of the recipients of the scheme tells us how the sessions have helped learn them to ride a bike for the first time.
Michael's story
Michael has improved his skills through our free Cycle Confidence sessions.
Tom's story
With the help of our Cycle Confidence sessions, Tom has gone from being unable to ride to cycling independently.
Barbara's story
Barbara is disabled and has been able to learn again how to ride with our Cycle Confidence sessions.
Yomi's story
Yomi benefited from an Active Steps course and went from being unable to cycle to cycling five days a week as part of his commute.
Joanna's story
Joanna received one to one cycle training and is now cycling for the first time in her life.
Community cycling clubs
Community cycling clubs allow local residents to take part in cycle based activities in a fun, friendly environment. Want to find out more about community cycling clubs in your area? Click here for clubs in Southampton and here for clubs in Hampshire.
R Community's story
R Community is a social enterprise which has been working with Cycling UK to run adapted bike sessions in the local community. Read their case study here or, to find out more about what they do, click here.
Amy's story
Amy was able to rediscover the joys of cycling in Southampton after repairing an old bike with the support of Southampton Bike Kitchen.
Inspiring stories
Jen's story
Jen decided to start commuting by bike following a house move closer to her place of work and has been experiencing the benefits ever since.
Kiran's story
Kiran has learnt to cycle through the women only Learn to Ride project, based in the Northam/St Mary's area of Southampton.
Stephen's story
After taking a break from cycling, Stephen is back on his bike and enjoying the changes that have taken place to make cycling in Southampton a safer and more pleasant experience.
Love to Ride Success Stories
When William changed his employment, he leapt at the opportunity to start cycling again. After winning a bike by logging his miles with Love to Ride, not only is he cycling thousands of miles a year, he has taken up a hero's mantle by dressing up as a knight for Prostate Cancer UK.
