Case studies

Streetbikes CIC is a charitable community interest company whose mission is to promote health, wellbeing, and social inclusion through cycling, especially for people who face barriers due to physical or mental health challenges.

Streetbikes recently supported a man who had a lifelong love of cycling, but who is suffering from a debilitating degenerative disease. He regularly attended sessions with Streetbikes, but as his health started to deteriorate, he became unable to cycle a two-wheeled bike. Working with the man and his wife, Streetbikes were able to support the man to use specially adapted bikes, including a trike, and ultimately an adapted bike with a seat similar in nature to a car seat with a lap belt and therefore giving a more secured seated position with stability.

The man was able to continue to cycle and feel the benefits of his lifelong hobby. His wellbeing was increased as he was outdoors and active. His wife also felt supported as we helped to show him the bikes that might work, and this meant his wife could have a little break.

Client testimonial

"Streetbikes are amazing! Their sessions have helped my husband and I no end. Seeing his smiling face when he was back on the bike was truly special."

This is only possible through the support of a small team (often trained volunteers) who support clients in every aspect of their visit, from looking after and maintaining the bikes to assisting people to ride to monitoring the track to make sure everyone is safe.

Please note - the equipment used is specialist and can be expensive to acquire and maintain. There may be waiting times and limited access for certain adapted bikes.

Ravensthorpe Community Centre provides a range of community services and activities in Dewsbury. Part of this includes various physical activity opportunities including:

• Yoga and Chair Yoga. This is tailored to people with mobility or health needs. There are five sessions delivered a week across the three venues. The sessions target different population groups; women, people with or recovering from cancer, people with Dementia and individuals over 55.
• Gentle walking and outdoor group activities to promote movement and social contact.
• Targeted fitness classes for women (Yoga, Zumba and Pilates). These help to boost confidence, health, and community bonds.

One local lady lives on her own and moved to the area about three years ago. She didn't know many people and was feeling isolated and lonely. The lady started coming to the women's group and at first was hesitant talking to anyone, but over time she started to make new friends and built her confidence. At first, she was hesitant joining in with the Chair Yoga sessions, watching from a far, but she started to join in when she was ready. She now enjoys coming to all three sessions during the week.

Client testimonial

"The Chair Yoga at the community centre is perfect for me; I don't have much mobility. I have started doing what I have learned at home, and I feel much better, not scared of falling. Since joining the yoga, I have less aches and pains."

Community Plus is a place-based support service working to the Early Intervention and Prevention agenda to encourage and to support individuals and groups through coaching-style conversations to achieve personalised goals / create change to help them lead healthier, happier lives. Many of these individuals have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, severe mental health issues or limited mobility due to ill health, or experience social anxiety.

Community Plus works directly with people, and in close partnership and collaboration with a range of other agencies and stakeholders to support individuals to take part in sports sessions, low level exercise, accessible activity such as 'Movement and Games in Chairs' (MAGIC), walking groups, outdoor volunteering, dancing, gardening groups, play groups, litter picking and a variety of other activities.

Additionally, Community Plus supports both new and existing Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) groups to create or sustainably maintain physical activity provision at a hyper-local level in the community through large, small and micro grants.

Community Plus also delivers a training and support programme for people who would like to start leading walks in their community and MAGIC sessions across Kirklees. There is growing demand for low level exercise provision, and Community Plus have trained 70 people so far in 2025 and currently have 24 people booked on for sessions later in the year.

As a result, Community Plus makes a direct impact on the numbers of individuals participating in physical activity, including from a range of protected characteristic groups; supports a broadening of the type and level of physical activity opportunities across Kirklees; improves social connection and community belonging; and increases confidence levels for participants and facilitators.

Testimonials from attendees

"The walking group has given me a window into wellness. I look forward to walking and talking whilst exploring the nature around us. It has helped me feel part of the local community and less isolated. The beauty of our group is that it represents the diversity of Dewsbury and brings together people from different cultures, ages, backgrounds and experiences. I enjoy the opportunity to talk to people I wouldn't otherwise meet, and we support and learn from each other. I feel healthier, both physically and mentally, and more connected to people. The weekly combination of fresh air and friendship makes me smile every time. Thanks for everything"

"I want to express my appreciation for the way you've helped me become a part of the Dewsbury Walking Group. Being semi-retired in my mid-sixties and living alone, I was experiencing a degree of isolation I've never felt before. I was looking to join an activity where I would meet other people. I found some info at Dewsbury Library. You are so supportive and encouraging to the group, many of whom have issues e.g. anxiety and/or isolation, and this has facilitated the lovely sense of mutual support in the group. I am thankful for your help with meeting new friends, getting more exercise and feeling more positive - it's a great group! Having experienced Community Plus at first hand, I see it's such an important service, supporting the mental and physical well-being of potentially vulnerable people in our community - long may it continue. Also, Dewsbury Library - essential - and the place where good things happen. Many thanks."

"The group has helped me de-stress from a very high demanding job. I suffered trauma and bereavement, so the walk has helped talk to people in similar situations. Everyone in the group is on a healing journey so very comfortable to walk and talk too. It's very friendly and walking in group has helped me feel safe."

"I would never have heard about umbrella yoga which I really enjoy and wouldn't have had the confidence to go"

"I'm meeting people and doing things I like. At the group last Monday, I played curling - I loved watching on tv and always thought I'd love to do that and - it's brilliant, gave a stick because couldn't bend down. It was brilliant."

"I learned how even small actions can make a big difference. The session was so fun I didn't expect MAGIC chair would be so fun." - MAGIC Leader session attendee.

Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) is a not-for-profit charitable leisure trust who operate leisure facilities across Kirklees. As part of KAL's offer, they have targeted programmes to help people who are less active or may have health conditions that require additional support.

For example, KAL's Fitness for Health scheme is a 12-week exercise intervention hosted at Huddersfield Leisure Centre and Spen Valley Leisure Centre, where referred clients access a specialist instructor-led gym or class-based session each week, as well as having a discounted membership covering all KAL sites. The instructors work with the individual to achieve their specific health and activity goals.

Fitness for Health recently worked with a client with a variety of long-term health conditions, who was referred by social prescribers. They wanted to improve their fitness, strength and overall wellbeing. Specifically, the client wanted help to lower their blood sugar levels, lose weight and improve their confidence. KAL helped the client to reduce their weight, lose waist circumference and lower their blood pressure, and when tested by their GP, the client had also seen a reduction in their blood sugar level.

Client testimonial

"I've lost weight, and my blood sugar readings have gone down. I received praise from my GP regarding my blood sugars. I've also reduced a dress size. I recently bought a medium sized coat, which fitted, whereas I'd normally wear a large or extra-large. I feel happier within myself and healthier. My friends have also noticed my weight loss and have been really positive about it. I have increased energy to take on day-to-day tasks. I have found that I have more energy and sleep better on days where I have exercised."

Another example is from a person who had recently retired, but found their mental health starting to deteriorate. Social prescribers recommended the client self-refer on to KAL's First Steps to Fitness scheme. This is a complimentary 4-week behaviour change intervention, where people can attend a specialist instructor-led classroom-based seminar and an optional gym session per week, as well as having a complimentary membership giving access to all KAL sites. First Steps to Fitness is available at Huddersfield Leisure Centre, Spen Valley Leisure Centre, Colne Vally Leisure Centre and Batley Sports and Tennis Centre.

The client felt intimidated by the idea of using the gym, but was more comfortable accessing dance classes, which they now regularly attend, and report a reduction in body weight and back pain.

Client testimonial

"I liked the programme because the staff were welcoming and knowledgeable and were very encouraging. This also applies to the volunteers, who are great, too. I realise that becoming healthier and more active does not have to be working out in a gym, which I find intimidating. I have accessed many of the classes based around dance and these work well for me. I enjoyed the discussions and found them equally useful. These covered sleep, healthy eating and staying active. I feel very comfortable going to the leisure centre and would not have done so without this gradual and supported introduction. I cannot think of anything that could have been better and have told other people about the programme. I think the main thing is building regular exercise sessions into my weekly routine. At the start of the programme, I was heavier, with back ache even if I walked around the block. I am so pleased and proud that this is no longer the case."