Activity Leader (Task Specific)

Helping our participants gain the confidence to ride safely in a supportive, controlled environment is incredibly rewarding. The smiles of pure happiness on their faces are worth more than anything money could buy.
— Harry, Volunteer

What does an activity leader do?

The session leader will delegate essential parts of the overall session to their team of activity leaders to manage and lead effectively. The elements of a session that an activity leader could include :

• Assessing participants and matching them to a suitable cycle
• Equipment/cycles/helmet briefings and instruction
• Participant engagement
• Session observation

Why become an activity leader?

As an Activity Leader, you’ll help participants discover the joy of cycling by supporting them to feel safe, confident, and included. You’ll play a hands-on role — matching people to the right cycle, giving guidance, and encouraging everyone to take part at their own pace. It’s a chance to share your enthusiasm, build connections, and help create moments of achievement and happiness for people of all abilities. If you’re passionate about making a difference and love being part of a supportive, energetic team, this is a truly rewarding role where every smile and success story starts with you.

What can I get involved with in this role?

You can get involved with:

• Liaising with the meet and greeters to understand any essential or helpful aids / assistance that can be provided
• Matching participants to suitable equipment
• Adjusting cycle contact points to fit the participants (saddle height, handlebar reach, toeclip / footplate positioning
• Demonstrating how to use the cycle: stopping, parking & braking for safe mounting & dismounting, steering, pedalling (feet and hands), change gear, observe others and the way forward
• Assessing participant / carer capability in all aspects of using the cycle safely
• Providing and assisting with ensuring helmets are fitted/worn
• Accompanying participants whilst riding the course – (as pilot or passenger)
• Talking with participants and carers to make them feel welcome and offer encouragement
• Taking up appropriate position to observe sessions - is alert & responsive to actions and risks. Aware of surroundings and risks
• Praising good practice and intervenes to stop poor practice
• Saying farewell & hope to see you at the next session
• Holding a debrief with the session leader at the end of the session

“There is so much to get involved in: preparing and dispatching bikes, performing safety checks, setting up the course, supervising activities, and ensuring that every individual has the best possible experience. It’s meaningful, rewarding, and yes — a little bit addictive. Seeing our participants enjoy themselves in a safe, inclusive environment where we focus on what they can do is inspiring. Everyone excels in their own way.”
— Harry, Volunteer

What makes a great activity leader?

Someone who makes every participant feel welcome, supported, and capable. They pay attention to detail, ensuring each person has the right equipment and feels confident using it, while creating a fun, safe, and inclusive environment. Great Activity Leaders communicate clearly, listen carefully, and adapt their approach to meet individual needs, always focusing on bringing out the best in every participant. Above all, they bring enthusiasm and positivity to each session, helping to make each participant’s ride enjoyable.

Do I require any training for this role?

All Activity Leads complete our Wheels for All Training, learning how to support practical session tasks such as fitting helmets correctly, matching participants to suitable cycles, and confidently setting people up to take part.

Get in touch

If you would like to support our inclusive cycling sessions, please create your volunteer profile using the link below and we will be in touch with soon!
https://wheelsforall-volunteer-registration.kinetic.plus/. Alternatively, if you have any questions or would like to find out more information please get in touch with us at volunteer@wheelsforall.org.uk.

Volunteer onboarding

Once created your volunteer profile on Kinetic+, our onboarding process is designed to make you feel welcomed, informed, and ready to get started. We’ll guide you through a few simple checks, including an enhanced DBS check and the collection of two volunteer references, followed by an induction to our charity, team, service users, cycles and much more!