Freewheel by Ride For Freedom CIC is a remediation programme that empowers survivors – women, children and men – of modern day slavery to cycle. Freewheel’s aims and objectives contribute to SDG’s 3, 4, 5, 8.7 and 17.
A pilot programme, delivered in partnership with the national charity Unseen, has evidenced that Freewheel by Ride For Freedom successfully improved the mental health of the survivors of modern slavery that participated in the programme. An executive summary of the report detailing the success of the pilot programme is also available (the appendix referenced in the report is also available).
On average, across the participants, mental health was the category that was improved on the most, in particular, a sense of independence surrounding the participants’ transport. Access to bikes improved the participants’ sense of mobility and ability to travel without dependence on others.
Gordon Miller, Ride For Freedom, explains Freewheel
Following on, the five year plan (2022-2026) is to springboard the pilot into a scaled-up programme of ‘hubs’ to be rolled out nationally in cities and regions where the need and ongoing demand for the provision and service are identified.
Each hub will deliver practical outputs and outcomes that evidence the benefits of cycling and training interventions to support those who are vulnerable in our society to forms of modern slavery.
The survivors will be given a bike and accessories to ensure they are safe and secure, as well as cycling proficiency and road awareness training, to support their physical and mental health, independence and mobility.
The national roll-out will be delivered working in collaboration with charity referral partners and corporate partners who recognise the value of supporting a remediation programme that harnesses the universal appeal of cycling to empower survivors of modern slavery.
Contact Gordon@RideForFreedom.org to discuss being a Freewheel hub development or referral partner.
Freewheel Hubs
Freewheel Barking & Dagenham
Freewheel West Midlands
Freewheel Impacts
About Ride For Freedom
Ride For Freedom’s SDG 8.7 aligned mission is to harness the universal appeal of cycling to raise awareness, educate and forge partnerships to end modern slavery and to provide remedy to survivors through its operational Freewheel programme.
Ride For Freedom achieves its mission by creating and leading unique cycling challenges and events and by partnering with high impact sports clubs, companies and aligned charities.
The cycling challenges fundraise to support the development of Freewheel by Ride For Freedom that empowers survivors of modern slavery to cycle.
The intended outcomes are that survivors will gain additional independence and mobility, and improved mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Please donate to make a difference to their lives at https://rideforfreedom.org/donate/
If you’d like to fundraise for Ride For Freedom, please get in touch info@RideForFreedom.org