A "Cycling Without Age" Trishaw, plus Community Poetry at Winash

C&SW member Winash have long been leaders in the field of developing Community links.

Manager Heather House tells us about a number of current initiatives.

Firstly, Winash have become the first organisation in North Somerset to have a Cycling without Age Trishaw. Heather Comments:

“Our aim is to use the bike for the Residents at Winash and older people who live in our community of Clevedon, to increase their emotional well-being and reduce social isolation. We are looking to reduce our impact on the environment by reducing our reliance on cars. Also, there is the benefit for the cyclist, increased physical fitness! Our hope is that if this becomes popular, Clevedon could become a hub for more trishaws, to further benefit our community.” (Heather House, Manager of Winash Rest Home)

To finance the purchase, Winash staff and residents fundraised and the business itself matched a £3000 grant received from the Sustainable Travel and Road Safety Team at North Somerset Council. “This is a wonderful scheme and we are very happy to further support and promote Cycling Without Age” (Christin Hoffmann, Business Engagement Officer within the Sustainable Travel and Road Safety Team) You can read more about Cycling Without Age HERE

Residents also seemed to appreciate the initiative, with comments like:

“I thought it was lovely and thoroughly enjoyed it.  We went up Hill Road and down to the beach.  I think it’s a lovely idea that someone thought of it for the residents to enjoy.”

 “It was exciting and very novel.  We went down to the Salthouse car park and turned around there.  It created a lot of attention with other motorists hooting and people waving.  It was one of the first trips so the pilot was still a bit unsure and we didn’t know what was going to happen.  We laughed the whole way round.”

 “I thought it was lovely, we went down to the Salthouse.  I used to be in a cycle club and we’d go somewhere every Sunday.  I also cycled 7 miles to work each day to save on bus fare and keep fit.  I think that’s why my legs are still so good as it used lots of muscles.  It did take me back to those days a bit.”

Secondly, Winash continue their community involvement with Clevedon School where 3 pupils from the Sixth Form have been working with residents on a number of creative projects. Heather House tells us:

‘ The Sixth Formers Alice, Poppy & Harriet are taking part in ‘Poetry Together 2019’ with our Residents. They have been visiting us once a week, working on illustrating ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ and have written a collaborative poem called ‘Welcome’ with us.

‘Welcome!’

Welcome to Winash, to all 3 of you

You’ll learn something fresh every day…and new

We hope that your time here

Brings you pleasure and us pleasure

And gives us all memories

That we all will treasure,

memories which can stay with us all

Will brighten our day, for one and all

 #PoetryTogether2019

We are also taking part in the local ‘Tree Festival’ at the beginning of December, the theme being the Nutcracker ballet, the students are helping us to make the decorations for this.