Cycling towards wellbeing: The Cornwall Life Recycle story

The Community FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. Cross Country Rail 2025 was recently awarded to Cornwall Life Recycle. This fund supports community initiatives across the CrossCountry network, with a focus on projectsA piece of work that delivers an output. that deliver tangible social and environmental benefits.

The Cornwall Life Recycle project built on their previous success of Active Travel Social Prescribing that addressed social isolationLoneliness, lack of access to human interactions., lack of accessible cycling, and limited active travel options across Cornwall.

With a third of Cornwall’s adult population and half of children and young people not meeting national physical activity guidelines (CCF Vital Signs 2022), by expanding cycling sessions and reaching rural communities, Cornwall Life Recycle remove barriers and improve physical and mental wellbeing by teaching people how to ride safely and maintain their bikes. The project offered accessible riding opportunities whilst providing low cost upcycled bikes to participants.

As a result of the funding they received, regular cycling groups helped people to become more active, creating routine whilst mechanic sessions gave those who participated practical skills and confidence to maintain their own bikes. The project also received donated bikes, removing financial barriers and establishing wider involvement.
With 108 people benefitting from this project, friendships were built due to the inclusive and nurturing environment, reducing isolation with participants feeling more connected to their community whilst building on their confidence and resilience. This opportunity also encouraged riders to join other activities in their local community, highlighting the ripple effect that this funding has provided for adults and young people of Cornwall.

When participant Kate started the bike maintenance training, she lacked confidence, a feeling intensified by a tough period in her personal life and the ongoing impact of a past brain haemorrhage, which made learning seem overwhelming. Through a supportive, encouraging environment and clear, patient instruction, she was able to progress at her own pace, gradually developing technical abilities she once thought unattainable. As her skills improved, so did her self-assurance, both in the workshop and in her daily life.

This fund has provided the chance for people to be more active and to build on Cornwall’s cycling community, with those participating forging new friendships and taking part in group rides, reaping the lasting wellbeing benefits that this fund has offered.

If you are a community group looking for funding, please view our available grants. 

If you are looking to support the Cornwall Community Foundation with a donation, go to our online donation page.