Winners at our 12th Dragons’ Den, Chat-E-Cycle recently got in touch with an update on how the project is going…
Between 25 April 2025 and 31 January 2026 (approx. 40 weeks), Chat-e-Cycle went out on average three times per week for 1.5–3 hours per ride. This equates to approximately 120 ride sessions and an estimated 270 hours using an average ride length. In addition, we delivered around 20 taster rides within radstock, giving extra local residents a chance to try the Chat-e-Cycle and learn about the project.
We have networked with local residential homes in the Radstock and Westfield area to offer free taster sessions and introduce the Chat-e-Cycle opportunity. This has included outreach to White Haven Care Home, Manor Farms Residential Home, Combe Lea Residential Home, Beechcroft Residential Home, and Somer Valley House. Following this outreach, we have offered each residential/care home an on-site visit and free taster sessions for residents to try Chat-e-Cycle. Now that the key safeguarding and safety arrangements are in place (with safeguarding training for volunteers underway and nearing completion), alongside DBS checks, a volunteer briefing/training workshop, and the trike being fully serviced, we are moving into the on-site delivery phase with residential homes. As a volunteer-led project, confirming care-home dates and internal arrangements has taken some lead-in time, and a temporary injury to our lead volunteer reduced delivery capacity for a short period and contributed to a slight delay. Visits are planned to begin this week (from Tuesday 17/02/2026), and we expect to deliver them more regularly going forward as capacity and care-home diaries allow.
The project has already had a very positive impact on wellbeing and social connection locally. Participants regularly tell us they feel better in themselves, more confident getting out and about, and more connected to the community than before. The social element has been particularly important — rides create natural opportunities for conversation, laughter and friendship.
Photograph by Paul Blakemore (@blikmo)
As outlined above, the consistency and frequency of the rides during the delivery period has been a key part of the impact. Having regular sessions has created repeated opportunities for older adults to get outside, be active at a comfortable pace, and reconnect with familiar places in Radstock and Westfield. Over time, this has helped reduce isolation and build confidence, because people know there will be another chance to take part, keep up friendships, and maintain momentum.
A key part of this has been the way volunteers and participants often stop at local cafés as part of a ride, including Swallow Café in Radstock. This not only strengthens friendships and reduces isolation, but also provides practical, two-way support for local community assets — participants benefit from welcoming spaces, and the project in turn helps bring footfall and visibility to cafés that play an important role in the community.
It has also been transformative for our lead volunteer, who has found real purpose and enjoyment in delivering the project. They have now completed close to 1,000 miles on the Chat-e-Cycle through rides, practice sessions and community engagement, helping build momentum and ensuring the project is safe, reliable and ready for wider delivery.