Welcome to the Summer!
(by Paul Oxborough, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees)
One of the benefits of warm weather is getting out there, meeting people, running events, riding the bike and being in the thick of our awesome community. At the moment there is no shortage of events, we will soon be at 70 events this year (we will break these down in the next newsletter)
I hope people have enjoyed meeting us, as I know it is one of the highlights for our team when people start to engage with some of the great work we are doing. In this newsletter we will have some thoughts from volunteers about what it meant to them and what it means to wear 'the Mental Health Motorbike T-shirt'.
I would also like to remind our community that if you see the Mental Health Motorbike stand this is a safe space where you can come and chill with the team, just let them know that you need to do this.
Thanks to everybody who is volunteering to work with us at events, it means a lot to meet you. Remember we are always looking for new volunteers, so watch for adverts on our social media channels and use the link provided to apply if you are free. Stay safe on the roads and we look forward to seeing you soon - enjoy the summer.
Paul 'Oxo'
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TRUSTEES MEETING
Although it was a very fleeting and short time we spent together, the board of trustees recently met just outside of Brize Norton for some strategic planning.
Nothing beats a face-to-face meeting, having the opportunity to have some food and drink together, and do some serious planning. We borrowed a house for a short time, cooked for each other, and made huge progress on the charity's long term vision. Grabbing time like this is so important and difficult to do when everyone has such busy lives, but thanks to the team for prioritising this.
Lots to look forward to as we move forward with this vision - the back garden even became a car park for the bikes!
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STAFFORDSHIRE BIKER BREAKFAST - PORT VALE FC
The biker breakfasts never disappoint, always a good turnout and this time the weather was really on our side. Hundreds of bikes turned up to Port Vale FC (probably their biggest turnout this season 😂) and present were 21 stands, each with something to offer the variety of bikers attending.
As always the Mental Health Motorbike stand was very well attended with some people picking up information, others getting support and a chance to meet old friends who are part of our network.
The way biker breakfasts work is you are given a card on arrival and every time you speak to stand you get a stamp, and after a three stamps you can get a free breakfast butty. Win win!
We were ALSO at the side of Thornycroft and DocBike which was great to be amongst friends.
What was really special is I was able to ride the Mental Health Motorbike bike and have a lovely ride back with volunteer Jade through our beautiful English countryside. Super day!
Thanks for a great event Kevin as always.
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WINGERWORTH FAMILY FUN DAY - DERBYSHIRE
In over 100 events, this was one of the first non bike event we attended. It was a very sunny day with temperatures over 30° and thousands of people descending on AllenDale Park. We were located next to the bouncy castles and food so footfall was guaranteed.
I was asked by the chair of the organising group following a surprise meeting a few weeks previously. I was cleaning the motorbike on my drive when she walked past with some friends and she got curious about the charity. Before we knew it we were signed up.
The day was incredible, so many different angles of interest. Last night I had a one hour conversation with somebody we met at the show who is making a donation. It's very interesting how bikers are perceived outside of the non biking community. Everybody thinks bikes are cool but many are frightened of them. Hence we took many photos of people sat on the motorbike.
I think we should do more non-bike events, as it creates great exposure and opens our work to a much broader audience. We met doctors, psychologists, teachers, other community workers and friends of bikers who all took our information away with them. Overall an exceptional afternoon.
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MANCHESTER TRIUMPH OWNERS CLUB PIZZA NIGHT
It was an absolute pleasure to attend the Manchester Triumph Owners Club pizza evening at the Navigation Hotel in Woodley. Always a pleasure because the food is so good.
We've developed a great relationship with this club over the last couple of years and one of the issues Chairman Max was sharing was ill health of members and bereavement. Being present at these events allow us to discuss how we can support this club with these issues. Over the next few weeks we will look at training some of the group in mental health first-aid. So they have better support internally.
Thanks to the ongoing support of Thornycrofts for such grassroots support.
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J&S SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH MOTORBIKE
(BY VOLUNTEER AND MHFA - MARK HALFORD)
A massive thanks to motorbike superstore J&S at Oakmere in the heart of Cheshire for hosting a charity fundraising evening for Mental Health Motorbike on Wednesday 21st June. A glorious midsummer evening saw over 600 bikes of every type coming and going through the evening. J&S supported Mental Health Motorbike by running a raffle and supplying great prizes which meant we raised over £400, every penny of which will go back into training more Mental Health First Aiders.
The team on the evening were very busy not only fund raising and talking about what we do but also providing support and a safe space where trained Mental Health First Aiders could support people with whatever they are going through. Being visible and available at such large gatherings allows people to come to us on their own terms and speak to us in confidence. We are open, approachable and non judgemental, listening with empathy to everyone who asks for our help. As Mental Health First Aiders we are all trained to give this help and support, following a recognised plan to ensure that everyone we support is helped to move forward. All of us in the team spoke to and supported a number of people throughout the evening, giving each of them the time and space they needed to share with us whatever they were going through.
This is the second Mental Health Motorbike event that I’ve volunteered at and at both I have been able to provide support as a Mental Health First Aider. This is really important to me as having worked for many years with people who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health I understand how difficult can be to reach out to someone about how you’re feeling. There is still a lot of stigma around Mental Health and it can often feel safer to approach someone you don’t know in the knowledge they will listen and not judge you or how you feel. Being a trained Mental Health First Aider gives me the tools to help people move forward from where you are now, often that first step is the biggest one for them, being there for people to make that step and give help and support is what volunteering as a Mental Health First Aider for Mental Health Motorbike is all about for me, it’s the people, it’s about being a biker, for bikers.
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REGIONAL CO-ORDINATOR INTRODUCTIONS
(By Shaun Farrand)
Very recently I lost my mum after a long term stint in intensive care, sadly with nothing more to be done - I interviewed the next day with Mental Health Motorbike for the Regional Co-ordinator position for East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire- hi all local to me and I’m looking forward to getting out there.
I did feel like I’d lost my passion for motorcycling however, from the last few days away in the Lake District on the GS, tackled Hardknott Pass, which was a challenge but even more so with a pillion, however my better half did perfectly. Stopping off for a 0% beer at the bottom of Hardknott (not had any alcohol since last November yay!), sitting in the sun thinking of how we tackled the hardest road in the country without issue, really allowed me to relax and take stock of life. It made me realise that I do in fact love motorcycling and everything that comes with it, there was just so much happening at the time it was pushed to the back of my mind, even in the hardest times the love does come back. The road we took back to Windermere (where we stayed) A595 I believe that is a proper bikers dream road.
This trip really, finally allowed me to get out of my own head for a bit and just enjoy motorcycling again, spectacular roads, and views - plus the ferry on Windermere was on my bucket list to do, a bit silly I know.
Now I will work tirelessly and ensure we get the word out even further with a powerful presence, I hope this post full of my own personal honesty and vulnerability helps someone else,
Love
Shaun
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DEBS (#ACHYBUM)
WHAT VOLUNTEERING MEANS TO ME
Being a volunteer for Mental Health Motorbike became a reality for me last year in November at the Bike Show at the NEC. Then I did Project Edward at Caffeine & Machine. Recently I helped out at the Ace Cafe not far from where I used to live in London. Riding my motorbike in London traffic was going to be fun and meeting back up with Paul, Karen and Rob was going to make for a good day too.
I have wanted to volunteer for Mental Health Motorbike since I met up with Louise last year at the Women in Motorcycling at Tutbury Castle. I got my MHFA certificate and then got my coveted green sticker! I was so nervous at my first Mental Health Motorbike event. Then I had my first one to one at my second. I was shaking with emotion afterwards. But then along came my third event at the Ace Cafe. It was here where I had more one to one’s. Now I was starting to settle down into volunteering.
I really enjoy meeting new people and I enjoy even more being of service. I find that I keep my mental health recovery in motion in helping others with theirs. At my annual mental health check I’m described as a ‘trained patient’ and through the Mental Health Motorbike volunteering I can assist others through hard times. I know how lonely recovery can be. Through the Mental Health Motorbike I am amongst those who share the same outlook on life and our collective experience is so valuable.
Getting positive feedback is awesome and I received some after the Ace Cafe. It made me cry in a good way. My training and humanity were coming together in an environment that challenges me and nurtures me, Mental Health Motorbike makes a difference. A BIG difference. Being a part of it gives me an outlet to serve.
It is simply wonderful for a seed, the Mental Health Motorbike, to have been planted and to read about how it has grown to the size it is today. And I am honoured now in being a part of that growth. I am looking forward to the Women in Motorcycling at Uttoxeter in August where I will be volunteering again.
I never realised that learning to ride a motorbike would be so beneficial to myself and others.
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ARE YOU A CURRENT RACE MARSHALL WISHING TO DO THE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE?
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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
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JOIN THE TEAM - Why not sign up to do a future MHFA course...?
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID UPDATE
(By Karen Cole)
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Well, I’m pleased to say that despite my thinking that very few of you would be interested in mental health first aid (MHFA) training during the summer months, the numbers of bookings are still steady and we are keeping our instructor Chris Rollings very busy.
As the graph shows, we are still on target to reach 1,000 mental health first aiders by the end of 2024, and not only that, but many of our 2023 MHFAs have volunteered to help Mental Health Motorbike.
At the beginning of 2023, I had 3 volunteers to sit in on the courses and look after learners. All the Trustees stepped in to help, but we often struggled to find any cover at all. Here we are 6 months on, and I have an enthusiastic team of 22 wonderful Course Support Volunteers. We also have new MHFA’s taking up posts as Regional and Area Coordinators, Moderators and admin roles. A big thank you to you all (and not forgetting the ‘old hands’ who have kept us going when help was harder to come by).
If you want to know how you can help, we run monthly Zoom meetings usually on the first Tuesday of the month at 8 pm. It's your chance to meet a couple of trustees, hear about what Mental health Motorbike does and ask any questions. We’d love to see you, follow the link on the calendar to register.
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 4th July 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 4th July 2023 @ 8pm:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtduuqrD4uHNMAVx5HpYoqAo4K0TqHZULP
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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BROADENING HORIZONS
We know that riding a motorcycle is beneficial to good mental health. This may be a short ride around the local area or a day trip in the countryside. However, many of us look forward to going further afield. This may be a weekend away camping or touring the UK staying at B&Bs. Some of us like nothing more than to escape to other countries and experience different cultures.
I have several tours under my belt now having travelled across Europe, America and closer to home on routes such as the North Coast 500 in Scotland. Most recently I’ve returned from doing the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. What these journeys all have in common though is the planning. For me, this can be just as enjoyable and rewarding as the ride itself. It’s the perfect mindfulness exercise and I can spend many therapeutic hours researching routes and studying maps.
Online groups can also be a great source of knowledge, especially when seeing photos being posted by those on the road or who have recently returned. This information is especially good for those who have only done day trips but would like to experience a tour.
While there are companies out there that offer guided tours my preference is for a smaller group, and I usually travel with a couple of companions. This is where I find that planning helps. It removes any uncertainty and stress about the route, where the accommodation will be and what mileage is expected daily. Some people are happy to do 300 or more miles a day. I prefer a more leisurely pace of around 200 which allows plenty of time to stop and look at your surroundings without being a slave to the journey.
Get out there and enjoy yourself.
You can find more information and touring advice on my website at https://www.redsmartie.com
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REGIONAL CO-ORDINATOR UPDATE
(By Ken Finlayson)
MEET OUR REGIONAL/AREA COORDINATORS
This month- PAUL SIMS Regional coordinator based in Gloucestershire. Hi my name is Paul Sims. Whilst I have not experienced any serious mental health issues myself, I have very close family members who struggle with anxiety, depression and PTSD. They have often felt alone and unsupported. So when I came across the work that Mental Health Motorbike was doing I thought it was something I should get involved with given my experiences and love of motorbikes.
I currently ride an Indian Scout Bobber and I’m going to enjoy riding the gorgeous roads in my area to spread the word. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.
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We've updating the website to reflect the new team CLICK HERE to meet them
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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/area coordinators and a new peer support moderator team - 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
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MODERATOR RECRUITMENT
(By Leanne McClean)
Recently we advertised for volunteers to join us as 1:1 Moderators and were really pleased with the initial response. Mark and I held informal interviews and met many interesting volunteers who demonstrate a commitment to helping others through the moderator role. Each person has shared with us their ideas of how we can evolve this role to be of greater benefit to our members and how we can all better support one another. We will be using these ideas to shape the future role and support mechanisms.
We would love to have a rota of at least 20 1:1 volunteers and are seeking further applications from individuals who hold the MHFA certification and who feel able to work as a team and support members in need of help. The 1:1 Moderator is a crucial role in providing 1:1 MHFA support to those identified as requiring this level of intervention.
The 1:1 Moderator group will help shape the future of this volunteer role through monthly meetings that will provide the forum to share experiences of moderation and learn together.
If you would like to get involved please place an application HERE XXXXX
For further information you can also contact Leanne@mhmotorbike
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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 ...
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