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Introduction

(by Paul Oxborough)

The weather has definitely started to improve and spring is clearly well on its way. For many of us this means our motorbikes will be back on the road. A time for optimism and the amazing headspace riding gives us. If you have had a winter break it is really important to build yourself back into riding and make sure that you are bike fit. Check out our bike fit programme - https://mhmotorbike.com/bikefit this was created by our friends Martin Smith and Weeble. We all get rusty after a break. Remember, check those tyres, chains, oil levels and your general bike maintenance as well.

Another thing to celebrate is the start of the new motorbike race season. The good news is that since Christmas we have trained nearly 40 Race Marshalls in mental health first aid, who will be covering lots of the big races and competitions. It feels nice to be working with Steve and Jackie Solley from NG Road Racing Club to put this in place. We hope the introduction of mental health first aiders will give the race paddocks more of a safety blanket when they need support.

It's also worth sharing if you're into racing to check out a new podcast by our friend Richard Gibson. It is called "Late Apex" (available on most podcast channels) and is a fabulous listen if you are into the club racing scene. Anybody that knows Richard know how passionate he is and the podcast is done very well.

Hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and we look forward to telling you more about the developments within the charity.

Mental Health Motorbike
MHMotorbike Bike Fit Programme | Mental Health Motorbike
This programme has been design by Mental Health Motorbike team member Martin Smith with unique and original drawings from Weeble's World.

GEARED 2 GO EVENT - A GREAT EVENING IN MACCLESFIELD

It was so nice to see members of the team and in Macclesfield. A very busy event with lots of new contacts. Hosted by Thornycroft Solicitors this event raised money for the charity. A massive thanks to Leah & Anthony for donating some great prizes for a raffle and Mary for doing the raffle for us. If you are in Macclesfield check these guys out - hopefully we will do more events there soon

WEEBLE'S WORLD

As the clocks turned forward Weeble's thoughts turned to summer and the summer bod. Now was maybe the time to start working on it . . . . . Maybe. He was sure they would stretch whatever shape he was in.

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

Are you passionate about the wellbeing and mental health of the biking community in your region – do you want to play a bigger part with Mental Health Motorbike?

We are in the process of recruiting regional coordinators - thank you to each and every one of you who has expressed an interest in these roles.

There will be other volunteer roles advertised during the coming months, please keep an eye out for adverts if you are interested in any of the following roles :

Events Manager
Fundraising Manager
Training Administrator
Marketing Manager
Systems Manager
And more Moderator roles

REGIONAL CO-ORDINATOR UPDATE

Hi all, we are pleased to announce that after talking with some very enthusiastic, talented and experienced individuals who recently applied to become our volunteer regional and area coordinators we will be making appointments in April.
This will mean that we will become much more organised throughout the summer, and hopefully be in the position to arrange at least a few meet ups in your area.
The primary responsibility of a regional or area coordinator is one of building a local team of volunteers and Mental Health First Aiders who can attend local events to represent Mental Health Motorbike, to arrange local meets with anyone associated with us, and to develop relationships with local clubs, businesses, and cafes.
We will be asking our new coordinators to introduce themselves in next month’s newsletter, and we will be publishing links in order that you can contact them and perhaps get involved locally.
Please consider getting involved in your local area as we have much work to do.
We need to be there to LISTEN, SUPPORT and to RIDE.

Are you a race marshal who would like to do the mental health first aid training for free please email karen@mhmotorbike.com for more information

PHOENIX MOTORCYCLE TRAINING
(By Karen Cole)

http://www.teachmetoride.co.uk/

Mental Health Motorbike are delighted that The UK’s largest motorcycle training provider, Phoenix Motorcycle Training have joined forces with Mental Health Motorbike to train 24 members of their staff, who are now qualified Mental Health First Aiders.

Not only have they invested in their staff, the owners of Phoenix Motorcycle Training Mark and Ruth Jaffe were so keen to help, that they too have completed the course. Mental Health First Aiders can now be found in Phoenix Motorcycle Training’s 22 training sites. Look out for our Green Badge logo which will be proudly on display.

The aim is to ensure the wellbeing of students and staff, create a supportive environment and provide dedicated spaces where people can go to talk in confidence with someone who understands their needs. This work will benefit not only the next generation of motorcyclists embarking on their riding journey, but also experienced riders attending the school for advanced rider training.

Phoenix recognise that sometimes all it takes is a friendly smile or a short chat to make all the difference. The newly qualified Mental Health First Aiders at Phoenix Motorcycle Training now have the tools and knowledge to be able to provide this support, making the training centres friendly and supportive environments for everyone, and encouraging more people onto two wheels.

Phoenix Motorcycle Training provide CBT and test training but they are not just for new riders. They offer trail riding and advanced skills courses for motorcycle licence holders too. Phoenix will ensure that all riders can benefit from support via the Mental Health First Aiders’, as well as the opportunity to learn new skills, become safer and more confident riders, or just to try something different for the fun of it!

Mark Jaffe, commented “ As instructors and bikers, we know that riding motorcycles helps promote good mental health, and this additional MHFA training, working alongside Mental Health Motorbike, will ensure we can help to make a difference to riders old and new.”

It's great to see Phoenix Motorcycle Training really understand what it means to go the extra mile for their customers. This sends out a strong signal that it is OK to talk about your mental health and we truly respect and value this strong connection! Phoenix, thank you for helping us break the stigma around mental health.

http://www.teachmetoride.co.uk/

W. https://phoenixmotorcycletraining.co.uk/
F: www.facebook.com/phoenixmct
T: https://twitter.com/teachmetorideuk
I: www.instagram.com/phoenix_motorcycle_training

Why not sign up to do a future MHFA course...?

MHFA Volunteer Induction Sessions

All MHFAs are invited to attend one of our monthly Zoom induction sessions to find out more about Mental Health Motorbike and our volunteer roles available. Volunteers work at different levels within the charity based around what time they are able to give, and the induction session is an opportunity for you to ask questions and receive more information.

There are a variety of volunteer roles available to suit everyone, including :
·       Working as a moderator on the online peer support group
·       Offering short one-to-one online MHFA sessions
·       Working with the team at events around the country
·       Supporting the welfare of participants on future training courses
·       Or more general volunteering using your skills

Our volunteer induction sessions are 1 hour long via Zoom.

The next session in on Tuesday 11th April 2023. If you would like to attend please make sure you register (please follow the link below).

Register in advance for this meeting running on Tuesday 11^th April 2023 @ 8pm:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApd-ivqT0rHtTtdDzKunk0J0GyqFL_FbSc
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ACE CAFE LONDON - OVERLAND EVENT

Thanks to all the team that represented Mental Health Motorbike at the recent Overland Event at the Ace Cafe London. It was a quiet day but a great partnership building event with our adventurers and the Cafe - huge thanks to Saul for donating a prize for the raffle.

We need your support to keep the charity running, can you give a few pounds each month? click on the link or scan QR code below ...

Spring has sprung

(By Martin Smith)

As I write this, I am reminded that it’s the first day of Spring. I don’t subscribe to the notion of a riding season, but I’d rather not ride in the winter in the cold, with ice and salt on the road. We have had a couple of false starts this year with the cold snaps such that while I would have normally been out enjoying Snowdonia or the Peak District my bike is still on a trickle charge.

That hasn’t stopped me from planning and the recent sunshine, while too brief to jump on the bike (not when I have a list of jobs to do in the garden), has spurred on to plan a trip to Ireland. My normal plans would involve transportation of the bike to Europe saving me travelling overland to the good lumpy bits of the Alps, but Brexit has put many companies out of business. This has made me look a little closer to home as work and family usually only afford me a ten day window. With the route planned and with ferry crossings and accommodation booked I have something I can look forward to.

Before that, there is the small business of the Overland Spring into Action event at MotoCamp Wales. The Overland events have become a popular meet-up occasion for Mental Health Motorbike with the main Summer event at Hill End in Oxford becoming somewhat of a regular pilgrimage for us. See https://www.overlandevent.com for more information.

It was great to visit the team recently at MyMoto Derbyshire who donated some great prizes for a future raffle - thanks guys you are legends!!

VISIT OUR EVENTS & TRAINING CALENDAR

Upcoming Events

2nd April Project Edward Road Safety, Caffeine & Machine
7th / 9th April BSB Silverstone (To be confirmed)
16th April MV Dealership Staverton Gloucestershire
22nd/23rd April Staffordshire Classic Bike Show
22nd/23rd April Charity Collection Castle Coombe Circuit
29th April / 1st May BSB Oulton Park (To be confirmed)
30th April Upright Derbyshire Bikers Breakfast, Chesterfield
19th/21st May BSB Donington (To be confirmed)
20th May Ladies Day, On Yer Bike, Aylesbury

Volunteers please register via link below.
https://form.jotform.com/mhmotorbike/events23

Keep a track on all our events and training this year

GO TO CALENDAR

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