Meet Graham!

At Wheels for All, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. From supporting participants on their cycles to finding new ways to improve our sessions, their time, skills and enthusiasm help us make inclusive cycling accessible to more people.

One of those volunteers is Graham, who has become a fantastic support to our Kendal hub, going above and beyond to help both our team and fellow volunteers.

Graham, pictured below on the far left, regularly volunteers at our Tuesday morning sessions and has also supported our Wednesday morning HAF sessions. His calm, reliable approach means he is always ready to lend a hand wherever he is needed.

But Graham’s contribution goes well beyond supporting our sessions. He has also used his practical skills and initiative to help overcome some of the challenges that come with running a busy hub.

Like many of our hubs, Kendal has limited storage space, making it important to keep equipment organised and easily accessible.

Recognising an opportunity to improve things, Graham built shelves above the cycles inside the storage container, creating additional room for essential equipment such as cones, tool kits and helmets.

More recently, he has helped organise the container and provided boxes to store equipment and other items. These improvements have made it easier for the team and other volunteers to find what they need and keep everything organised.

When the hub faced a further challenge finding space for a wheelchair carrier, Graham once again stepped in. He worked out a better arrangement for the cycles to accommodate the larger piece of equipment, then stayed behind after a session to put his plan into action.

Thanks to Graham’s practical thinking, we can accommodate all our cycles while keeping our full range available to participants.

Graham’s support doesn’t stop at improving the day-to-day running of the hub. He has also helped us explore opportunities to secure additional support and resources for Kendal through his own connections.

These conversations could help us invest in areas such as volunteer training, cycle maintenance and equipment, supporting the hub’s continued development.

For example, additional ride leader training could allow us to offer longer led rides, giving participants more opportunities to explore their surroundings and enjoy the freedom of cycling. Mechanical training could also help volunteers maintain our cycles and get them back into use more quickly.

While these opportunities are still being explored, Graham’s willingness to make connections and look for ways to support the hub demonstrates the value of having volunteers who are passionate about making a difference.

Graham is a brilliant example of how volunteering can extend beyond the session itself. His practical skills, thoughtful ideas and willingness to take the initiative have helped make our Kendal hub more organised, efficient and better equipped to support participants.

At Wheels for All, we encourage our volunteers to share their skills, ideas and connections to help their local hubs grow and develop. Graham’s contribution shows how even seemingly small improvements can have a lasting impact on the people delivering and enjoying our sessions.

Thank you, Graham, for everything you do to support Wheels for All and our Kendal community!