Learning and connecting: growing women and LGBTQ+ health at Broken Spoke
2
The Pitch
Problem statement
OCF research shows that ‘loneliness and mental health issues tend to be more prevalent in […] LGBT communities’ (2021). OCF’s 2018 Needs Analysis on Loneliness and Isolation states that ‘OCF should fund projects that may combat loneliness or isolation in people from the LGBTQ+ community’. Indeed we consider this need to be even greater now due to the impact of COVID-19. In addition, women and people who identify as LGBTQ+ are severely under-represented in the cycling sector and in workshops, and spaces run by and for women and the LGBTQ+ community are in very short supply.
Solution
The Oxfordshire Mental Health Prevention Framework shows active travel, volunteering and community activity, sport and physical activity, and friendship are key “enablers” of mental wellbeing. We will expand the reach of our Beryl’s Night monthly session; deliver a second monthly session for women and LGBTQ+; host 4x free social cycle rides in different locations, including one around Oxford Pride; recruit, induct and support additional LGBTQ+ and women volunteers; train our front line staff and volunteers to feel confident to talk about mental wellbeing and signpost to appropriate services and increase outreach and promotion for our support for women and LGBTQ+ community in cycling.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We know from experience that our work can support all of the “enablers” of mental wellbeing listed above. As a community-owned and run bike workshop we have a unique opportunity to support mental wellbeing in Oxford, whilst at the same time improving physical health and benefiting the environment. We will build on the success of our free monthly offering of Beryl's night for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community and harness the power of our network of volunteers and wider community including our partnerships with Active Oxfordshire, CAG Oxfordshire and Aspire Oxford.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Training costs for volunteers in our women and LGBTQ+ sessions (£250 per day specialist sessional mechanic costs) | £1,000 |
| Mental health support training for all frontline staff - £300 Social rides, costs for materials, safety equipment, and support staff - 4 rides x £100/ride = £400 | £700 |
| Office overhead costs at 20% (these costs support our core costs including: office space, workshop lease, maintaining our tools and equipment, and a small contribution to management time) | £1,000 |
| Cytech qualification of a woman or LGBTQ+ identifying mechanic to ensure longevity of the activities | £1,250 |
| Contribution to staff costs for recruiting, inducting and training volunteers | £1,050 |
Beneficiaries
20 people
Expected impact
This project is an investment in the longer-term inclusivity of our workshop space by funding a mechanics training qualification for one of our core members of staff who identifies as a woman or LGBTQ+. We will fund their time for the training and continuing mentoring and professional development ourselves. We have many years of experience delivering women and trans activities at Broken Spoke. We have identified a need to expand and develop our work in this area to meet the increased need of the present moment. The main positive change that this grant would make to the lives of our beneficiaries would be an increase in mental wellbeing brought about by creating spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to come together to reconnect and learn together, but we are also confident that we will support the physical health of participants by enabling and encouraging active travel by bike.