Wear Moving!

A programme to get more people walking and cycling has been launched in the Southwick and Redhill areas of Sunderland.

Sunderland City Council has secured funding via a Healthy City Grant for the Wear Moving programme, which aims to improve access to cycling and safe walking for residents.

The programme was designed to improve health and wellbeing, promote active travel, give families the confidence to participate in cycling, and reduce carbon emissions through enhanced active travel options.

The project will be coordinated by Sunderland Young People's Bike Project (SYPBP) and Sunderland Community Action Group (SCAG), to promote health and fitness, reduce social isolation, and improve mental health and wellbeing. It will also aim to give people the opportunity to learn new skills, gain confidence and help reduce their carbon footprint.

Wear Moving will be delivered in partnership with community-based organisations to ensure it can respond to local need.

The project will also examine how health professionals and others can link people with cycling and walking programmes to improve their health, with a number of routes to referral via GP surgeries, link workers, self-referrals and other community-based organisations.

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Healthy City and Southwick ward councillor, Cllr Kelly Chequer, said: "We know how much exercise can benefit not just our physical health but also our mental health, cycling and walking are both fantastic ways to introduce some more physical activity into our days.

"We hope the Wear Moving programme will allow more people across Southwick and Redhill to enjoy all of the physical and mental health benefits that come with being active right on their doorstep.

"After the excitement of welcoming the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series this summer, we hope that seeing some of the world's best athletes in action at the at Roker this July will inspire residents to get on their bikes and enjoy all the benefits of cycling."

Liam Semley from Sunderland Young Peoples Bike Project said: "Having received funding from Sunderland City Council's social prescribing project, Sunderland Young People's Bike Project (SYPBP) and Sunderland Community Action Group (SCAG) Cycle Hub will be working in partnership to deliver a number of cycling activities and events across the Southwick and Redhill area over the next 18 months. Cycling has so many benefits and we want to help more people in Sunderland to discover them for the first time or get back on their bikes after time away."

Fully funded activities on offer through the Wear Moving programme will include cycle training, guided family bike rides and walks, and bike maintenance classes.

There are fun activities for families to get involved with starting this week:

• Family fun cycle (3 mile) - Thompson Park - 31 July, 10 August & 18 August at 10am
• Go Eco Teen Ride (11 - 16 years old only) - St Peters Cycle and Sports Hub - 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 August at 6pm
• Advanced family ride along (5+ mile) - Thompson Park - 2 & 11 August at 10am
• Dr Bike health check - Thompson Park - 7 & 15 August at 10am
• Bike maintenance class - Thompson Park - 9 & 17 August at 10am
• Adults 'get back on your bike' - Thompson Park - 14 August at 10am 
• Adult triathlon support, cycle hire, cycle maintenance - 29 & 30 August at 12pm

The programme will run until March 2025.

Find out more: www.mysunderland.co.uk/wearmoving