Kirsty is really interested in trying different things that can benefit health and wellbeing. Here, she shares some examples of the things she has tried during her recovery journey.
Bee keeping
Kirsty spent time with bees when she suffered from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). She found that after only 30 minutes with the bees, she felt very relaxed. She then spent time reading about how bees can help people. She found out that the sound of bees can be helpful to people with PTSD or anxiety and can help to support wellbeing. This is because the bees’ beating wings create a vibration that can have a calming effect.
To find out more about beekeeping, visit www.bbka.org.uk.
Meditation
“I started meditation, something I found extremely difficult. My panic attacks would result in me being unable to focus on my breathing to get into a meditative state. I persevered and eventually was able to use meditation as a way to calm my mind.
I encourage anyone experiencing difficulties coping in life to try and meditate. Even baby steps are still steps. I can guarantee you will find your peace. You will learn to love yourself and not care what the rest of the world thinks of you, because only your opinion will matter.”
Above: Kirsty’s beehives and her sound therapy room
Sound therapy
Sound therapy uses vibrations. Kirsty uses instruments like drums or gongs that make powerful vibrations. This means she can feel the vibrations in her body.
‘It opens up the body like a ripple effect of a stone in a pond.’
She also uses something called binaural beats. This is when you listen to two tones with slightly different frequencies at the same time.
“These methods sync both hemispheres of the brain and take you to deeper levels of meditation. This led me into digging further into the science behind frequencies and vibrations. I like to understand the science behind why these methods work.
Seeing fast results, these methods allowed me to meditate and open myself up to the traumas in a calm, non-evasive way. Almost not even knowing that this is what I was doing. I was able to pick away at traumas without even really feeling them. Able to look at them without emotional attachment. Healing myself bit by bit without having to face the enormity of it. I began to really get to know who I was behind all my usual barriers.”
“One day you will get there, and it will be yourself who gets you there.”
Sharing her learning
Kirsty wants to create a place where people can try sound therapy, meditation, bee-keeping, or even all three.
“If I can give something back, this is what I want to give back:
- a way for people to heal without having to return time and time again to professionals
- to let people know that they can do this themselves
- and to give people the experience and the tools to walk away after a couple of sessions equipped with the knowledge of how to self-heal.”
Next steps
“My plan is to start my own business using instruments that create sound waves and vibrations that resonate with the mind and body. To take people through meditations, safely showing them every step of the way how and why to do this. Ensuring that they don’t need more than a couple of treatments maximum so they can take it away, practice it and find what works best for them and show others how to heal themselves.”
Kirsty is also working with Graham Wells who runs GroWiser. GroWiser is a financial coaching service and one of our Delivery Partners. Graham is helping Kirsty think about her business plan.
“He’s more than a financial coach – he’s like a life coach. Not just immense help with finances but also encouraging and cheerleading my ambitions.”
You can read more about Kirsty’s experience of recovery at: www.future-pathways.co.uk/kirstys-experience
You can find out more about GroWiser in our Meet the Partner interview at: www.future-pathways.co.uk/meet-the-partner-graham-wells
Daniel had a serious accident over 10 years ago and was paralysed down his right side. Here, Daniel shares how exercise improved his physical and mental health, and helped him on his recovery journey.
I was determined to get back functioning and active again. I went to physiotherapy. They used to come and get me to go to my appointments. I was ashamed of people seeing me the way I was. People made fun of me.
Eventually, I started doing exercises in the house and I kept on doing them every day. I did butterflies and half butterflies, shadow boxing and knee bends. I did 20 repetitions each, twice a day. This helped with my counting as well.
I started feeling a bit of a difference, could see I was getting stronger.
During this time I was also in recovery from addiction and dealing with lots of personal issues but I kept exercising all the way through. Over time, I was able to use a mobility scooter to get back out and about.
Eventually, after Covid, and when I started with Future Pathways, I also started going to the local Recovery Cafe. We were all talking about the nervous system and how exercise is good for improving it. From there I thought I would give swimming a try.
Then, some friends encouraged me to do a round of golf. I’m now able to hit every single ball. There’s been people encouraging me and I really appreciate that when I look back. I try to encourage other people in recovery to go swimming and to take up golf and other exercise because of how it’s helped me.
I enjoyed doing all of these things but I also wanted to be able to do something on my own. I wanted to go out when I felt like it to exercise and not be dependent on recovery groups, or other groups or other people.
I wanted to have the freedom to exercise like everybody else.
I’d starting thinking about cycling when I got my mobility scooter. Once I felt stronger I bought a bike but I kept falling off because of my balance. I talked to my Support Coordinator at Future Pathways about options for cycling and we thought about a trike/recumbent bike. This is a bike with three wheels that you lean back on instead of sitting upright.
We went through to Edinburgh to try some out… I thought to myself, “this is it, this is what I want, this is what I’d like to do”. It made me feel good, gave me a sense of freedom and enjoyment.
The day I got the bike, I cycled back to the train station on it and my Support Coordinator walked alongside me. I was a bit anxious getting it on to the train. I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t believe it. Things like that don’t happen to people like us. Anything good, people usually take it away from you.
On my street on that day, people from my local town were giving me encouragement, smiling and laughing with me. That was different – laughing with me and not at me. People were happy for me. People have told me I’m a miracle. I’ve walked from Bathgate to Whitburn – that’s because of building up my strength on the bike. I want to keep building up my walking too.
The bike has been a godsend. I’ve done over 200 miles on it now. I’ve been to Bathgate and back. Whitburn, Blackburn, Bathgate, Armadale and back to Whitburn. I’ve also been to Harthill from Whitburn, up to Fauldhouse, Longridge and back to Whitburn. When I’m out I see people smile and cars going by give me a wee toot.
It’s not just made a difference, it’s made a life-changing difference.
My physicality is developing, my confidence has grown and I’m hoping it will grow more. I find it hard to talk to people. I’m practicing this and sometimes the bike helps with having something to talk about when I’m out.
I think it helps with different things and it’s given me ideas for doing more. I’d like to do a Glasgow or Edinburgh cycle to raise money for a parachute jump. It’s got me thinking of what else I can do. I want to get other people into recovery. Maybe even volunteering one day.
I’m looking for contentment and to be stress-free. I’ve been in trouble all my life. The bike puts a smile on everybody’s face – that makes me feel a bit happier as well.
This article is a shorter description of Daniel’s experience. You can read more about his journey in the full article at www.future-pathways.co.uk/daniels-experience
Rikki shares his experience of opening up.
On a Tuesday morning in June, I was visiting Carlisle Cumberland University Hospital to have a blood pressure monitor fitted. As I sat waiting for the ambulance staff to come and take me to the cardio-respiratory investigations, Chris saw me and made the sign of ‘it’s OK to talk’.
Chris is from Andy’s Man Club. They are a charity that offers support groups. The groups help men with their mental health through the power of conversation. I’ve been attending their online meetings every Monday since leaving hospital at the end of March. Having a stroke made me angry and frustrated. What’s my life going to be like now? Assisted to walk, dress and even to wash, with nursing staff coming to my house twice a day.
Of course I had dark thoughts going through my head.
I have had tougher times in my life. I could still talk and walk and decided to find out more about Andy’s Man Club. I thought I would give it a try and see if I could take a leap into understanding my anger.
I set up my computer and joined a 2-hour Zoom call with 14 other men, opening up to one another. There were lumps-in-my-throat moments. I was only thinking ‘what had I done to deserve what had happened to me?’ I felt so embarrassed and scared, but I spoke with a dry throat and a twisted mouth and no teeth. And I just let everything out.
Yes, it was the taste of my hot tears that flowed down my crooked cheeks. And then I began to embrace being listened to and not feeling lonely. There were so many thumbs up and applause hands. I knew that I could get through what the world was going to throw at me.
It is 6 months since my stroke and I take everything that life throws at me and smile, and that little voice in my head says, ‘You’ve got this Rikki.’
Andy’s Man Club offers free peer-to-peer support groups for men across the United Kingdom. Groups are both face-to-face and online. They aim to end stigma about men’s mental health through confidential, judgement-free spaces where men can open up. Find out more at www.andysmanclub.co.uk
Pauline shares her experience of using her voice to improve services, support herself and help others.
Voices for a Better Future
Pauline is part of Voices for a Better Future. The members of this group have been supported by Future Pathways. They are a lived experience group.
The group offers guidance and advice to Future Pathways. They make sure that the service always considers the views of the people we support. Three of the members of Voices for a Better Future are also on the Alliance Leadership Team, which runs Future Pathways.
“I am part of Voices for a Better Future and the Alliance Leadership Team. I believe that any person should have the right to raise an issue with Future Pathways that they are concerned about. Maybe you don’t feel you can raise it or don’t know where to go. But the people on the Leadership Team do care. We want to do the right thing. I got involved because I wanted to know more, to try to help influence policy and to help to get the ball rolling.”
Volunteering
Pauline also uses her time to support children and young people who are carers. This started in lockdown.
“I got my qualifications during lockdown for working with kids who were young carers. These kids needed a rest during lockdown and I thought if I could give them a voice, I would, and I did. They were amazing kids with amazing ideas. I got thank you cards from lots of people because of the work I’ve done. I don’t always realise it myself. Sometimes if you can’t do something for yourself, doing something for someone else is enough and that can help you too.”
Connection
“I’ve moved in to disabled accommodation now. It was a horrible thing to happen but it is a lovely house and I got a lot of support from a woman from a third sector service. I was connected to her by Future Pathways. What a journey we have been on!”
“Future Pathways also supported me to get a computer and I worked with a wonderful Support Coordinator. I got my computer set up and got myself online. All these things I’ve been doing have come out since I joined with Future Pathways. Having a computer means I have that lifeline, that link – I can take part in things. I’ve been given the chance to give back a little bit and help other people. And it’ll keep going. And we can only make it better.”
Who Cares? Scotland
Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland’s only national independent membership organisation for Care Experienced people. They campaign for the rights of Care Experienced people.
“I’ve been involved with Who Cares? Scotland since I was 14 and I’m now in my 50s. When I was young, I joined and went along because you got free juice and crisps. Then it became about the people, then it became about what the people were trying to do. It does make me cry with pride when I see how well Who Cares Scotland is doing since I’d been that little kid.
“I know things have improved since my generation and things are different now. But there is still stigma, problems, fragmentation, the feeling of not fitting in and lack of connection. It’s important to keep improving services for care experienced people – that is my view and in my heart of hearts, and what keeps me ticking along.”
Applying to Scotland’s Redress Scheme
“I gave it a lot of consideration. It wasn’t about the money. It was about feeling validated,
listened to, heard. Yes, we are ‘victims’ – I know a lot of people don’t like that word. But when I was that child, I was a victim. Now I might be called a ‘survivor’. It was very difficult to apply to
redress. And a lot of people don’t know that they are entitled to it, or they know but don’t want to interact. When you’ve been conditioned not to have a voice, it’s difficult to think you do.”
Writing
“During the redress process, I wrote a book for myself which was a therapeutic journey. And thanks to Future Pathways, it can now go to print. I love my writing. I did a peer-to-peer writing group and ended up facilitating it for three months. I write my way out of trouble and that’s how I’ve always done it. The thing about writing – the beauty of it – is it can be anything you want it to be. It allows you the space to think. You can think about what you’ve written and why you’re writing it.”
The recovery journey
“It’s important to know that recovery can be slow, and happens only when you’re ready and when you want to engage. Getting support means you can get the tools to help you. But it’s up to you to make good use of them. Everyone has a toolbox and needs to keep adding to it. Throughout this, remember your achievements. And finally, what else has helped me is music. I would suggest listening to ‘The Climb’ by Miley Cyrus, ‘This Is Me’ by Keala Settle and ‘Ten’ by Nathan Dawe.”
If you are applying to the Scottish Government’s Redress Scheme, or if you are thinking about applying, the Redress Support Service is there for you. The service offers support to people on their redress journey. Find out more at www.redress-support.scot
Future Pathways’ lived experience voice group is a safe space where members can offer guidance and advice to the Alliance Leadership Team and influence aspects of the design and delivery of Future Pathways. Find out more about the group and their work at www.future-pathways.co.uk/who-we-are/voices-for-a-better-future
Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland’s only national independent membership organisation for Care Experienced people. Their strategic vision is to secure a lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced people in Scotland. At the heart of their work are the rights of Care Experienced people and the power their voices have to bring about change. Find out more at: www.whocaresscotland.org
Under that Caledonian Sky
The many shades of purple hues and the russet
and golden ambers
Burn bright in that morning light
The morning call becoming deafening
As each bird trying to be heard.
I smile… what a glorious sound and vision I wake to
The mist is up the glen now, showing more of the hillside’s glory
The dark bracken mingles with the multi-coloured flowers and heathers
That are searching for that morning sun.
Oh, what a bonny sight to see
It evokes emotions that awake you
Ready for the hearty breakfast smell that is wafting into my room
It’s a shame I’ll never walk under those skies again.
So I say my farewells
Oh glorious Caledonia sky
Farewell, farewell.
But I know you will never be lonely
You’re too beautiful, a sight to behold
So go, you lonely traveller
And lie under that Caledonian sky.
Eileen has published a collection of poetry. It is called ‘The Nightmares and Dreams of a Broken Wee Lassie’s Life’.
You can buy the poetry book on Amazon and from Waterstones.
Eileen is also working on a second book which will soon be published. Her story is made up of 5 books in total.
You can listen to Eileen reading her poetry on her Youtube channel. Visit: www.youtube.com/@eileencormack3866
Joyce creates a range of wonderful pieces. This includes artwork,
embroidery, knitting and spinning. Check out the collection of her fantastic
creations below.
Painting and embroidery
“I was walking through Balquhidder Braes one day and came into a clearing. I realised I had stumbled across Oberon’s Garden.”
“Pastels on brown paper. My interpretation of The Poker Player by Paul Gauguin. The first piece I did when I started at Dundee college in 1996.
With painting, I always wanted to learn but father wouldn’t allow it as ‘you can’t make a living with a paintbrush’. I went to college then uni as a mature student/single mum and learned.”
Bags and purses
Joyce also makes gowns for angel babies. Angel babies are babies sadly lost due to miscarriage or as an infant.
“I was asked by a mum of two sets of premature twins if I could make clothes for the preemie babies at Ninewells hospital. She later asked if I could make the little gowns for angel babies. I consider it a great privilege to be able to do this and Future Pathways helped me to buy a new sewing machine for this. I’m now looking for other hospitals who may need the gowns. I lost a baby many years ago and never came to terms with it. However, through doing this, I have finally found peace.”
Spinning
“Spinning is my therapy. I have a few spinning wheels but the Ashford Traveller is my favourite. I spin anything from recycled plastic bottles to nettles to rose stem fibre but have a passion for rare, exotic fibres.”
Above: Norwegian fleece that Joyce has dyed herself
Above: yellow and blue is rambouillet mix (rambouillet is a type pf sheep), the brown fibre is qiviut (musk ox) which is a beautiful soft fibre, and vicuna is a very expensive fibre.
Richard shares his wonderful poem about nature.
Why is life not like a chestnut tree?
The Chestnut Tree…
Forty feet tall branches scattered in countless directions,
even more Leaves of different size and
Shades of Brown and Gold.
The Strength and Power of time has made you
Strong and Beautiful.
Birds from the Blue Ocean above perch on carefully
chosen branches;
The Blackbird – Chaffinch – Magpie
Woodpigeon – and Starlings.
They all come to gossip about their families.
Bees hum, a Hoverfly examines a branch, Caterpillars crawl
carefully here and there, a Red Admiral flutters through
Branches wondering where to land trying to keep away from
all those predators.
All this Menagerie finds some shelter from the Rain and
Wind from this magnificent stature of Wood and Leaves.
All the Clouds but one moves away to somewhere else.
The gentle patter of Rain stops.
The Sun peeks from the side of
a ball of cotton wool to say,
“Hello, I’m here to bring Sunshine into your Heart.”
The Chestnuts, clusters of mace bet on each other to see
who will fall to the Ground first.
On the Ground, the Hands and Fingers of Roots are spread
over the Grass, Twigs and Stones.
The Air of Wind returns moving this gentle giant to and fro,
the Branches Crackle and Creak.
The Sunlight flickers through and between the Leaves
creating Shadow and Movement.
And then, and then, a Chestnut fell, bouncing off the Grass
just in time to be spotted by a Red Squirrel.
Its big bushy tail radiant from the Sun’s kiss.
Another fell, another bounced watched eagerly by the
others from the branches above.
Later on in the day the Sun flew away, a cloth of black
velvet sprinkled with diamonds graced us with its presence
admiring the tree.
The Moon cast its Ambient Light on Branches and Trees.
Silence fell. The Wind disappeared.
Silence, quiet, stillness.
Suddenly, a White Bird appeared, its Heart Shaped Face,
Its beautiful Dark Eyes its magnificent Wingspan landed on
A branch almost halfway from the ground, watching,
listening.
Behind this glorious creature are more Branches, more
Leaves and the Big Pearl of Light.
Chestnut Tree,
What have you seen?
What have you heard?
What do you know?
A whisper of answers gently fell into the air.
Why is Life not like a Chestnut Tree?
Future Pathways supported Chris to develop his skills in DJing. Here, he tells us all about his musical journey.
Chris first got into DJing in 1991 while living in Leeds. He first came across the music scene in 1988 when he took a trip to London. This is where he first listened to Centre Force, a pirate radio station that played 24-hour rave music. During this trip, he went to a warehouse party and this gave him his first proper taste of the acid house scene and rave music.
‘I loved the openness, the vibe, being able to chat to anyone in a non-judgmental environment. For someone who had been through trauma, it was a place where you did not have to explain yourself and you could just be free. It didn’t matter who you were, what you were wearing. Everyone shared everything with complete strangers.’
He later moved to Leeds and started buying records. He got introduced to a friend of a friend who had a slot on the local pirate radio station. Chris started hanging out at the station and at the after-hours blues clubs dotted around Chapeltown. He was then offered his own slot at the radio station and played at most of the blues clubs. He also played a couple of gigs at The Music Factory, one of the most well-known clubs in Leeds, known as the home of B2B Back to Basics.
‘It wasn’t just the music, it was the vibe that was intriguing to me. I got really into the underground side of the scene.’
Chris moved around a lot so ended up selling or losing a lot of his records and gave up DJing. But last year, he decided to get back to it.
By this time, the scene had moved from using vinyl records to digital equipment. So, Chris had to learn to use this new technology. Future Pathways supported Chris to develop his skills and access the tools he needed. Chris’s Support Coordinator at Future Pathways was there to guide him.
‘It has been a massive thing for me that someone is there and takes the time to listen. She gets my story. For me, it’s not just the service, it’s the connection with the person you’re being supported by. To have someone who is open and helpful in guiding you to the services that might help you, that’s the key thing.’
Chris was able to access new tracks to use in his mixes. He also had time at Pirate Studios in Edinburgh. This gave him the chance to practice using club equipment which gave him more confidence.
‘It has been great using the equipment and learning. It has been a great learning curve.’
Making music also boosts Chris’s mental health and wellbeing.
‘DJing has been such a healing thing. I get into my zone. I also love seeing people’s reactions to the music that I play. Having time away from everything takes my mind away from things that are going on around me. It takes you away because you can’t think of that while you’re doing something you have to concentrate on.’
Chris now has a weekly slot on Trax Radio UK. It is the oldest independent dance music station in the UK.
‘You do it from your own room but you are streaming it to the audience. It is a fab thing. It is an indication of how well DJing is going for me. If you weren’t any good, they wouldn’t have you on, especially on a primetime slot like a Friday evening. So that is really big for me, I am really chuffed.’
Chris also plays at St Andrews Brewing at Caird Hall in Dundee.
‘I got asked to do some sets before Christmas and they went down a storm. It was four hours long which was intense. But they loved it. And they’ve booked me now for the next few months.’
Chris also had an exciting trip to Dundee Dance Event in May. It was the largest event in the UK for up-and-coming DJs. This year, Chris had two sets there. He also has more events coming up.
‘I’ve been invited to go down to Stoke and play with legend Daz Wilcot and Awesome 3, who were a huge PA. I also have a gig at Dundee Pride in the dance tent.’
Chris has plans for his future too.
‘I’m a big fan of seeing people dance and seeing people happy. I hope to make contacts with clubs and get my music out there a bit more. It’s definitely getting there.’
You can listen to Chris’s music at: www.mixcloud.com/ScottyCDJ
Hear his slot on a Friday evening at: www.trax-radio-uk.com
See Chris’s instagram @scottyc_dj
Future Pathways supported Lauchlan with his writing. Here, we find out more about the books he has written.
Lauchlan began writing when he was about 23. At first, he wrote poetry. He found that writing poetry was a way to express his thoughts, both positive ones and negative ones. He then went on to write stories.
Lauchlan started working with Future Pathways last year and since then, we have supported him to write a book. He worked with The Book Whisperers to do this. For example, they gave him advice on how to lay out the storyline.
Lauchlan’s book is called The Diary of a Saffron Assassin. It is a made-up story, but Lauchlan added parts to it from his own life. The book follows a character called Loc, who forms a relationship with the spirit of a young girl. From this, Loc is spurred on to bring justice when he sees bad things happen around him.
Lauchlan says: ‘I found that working with the Book Whisperers gave me direction on how to lay out a storyline. What I enjoy most about writing is being able to put my thoughts on paper and what I find challenging is weaving an acceptable narrative.’
Lauchlan has also published a book called Shanghaied and Shackled. This is about his experience of being in prison in China. He is also working on a follow-up book to The Diary of a Saffron Assassin. This one will have a woman as the main character.
You can read two pieces from The Diary of a Saffron Assassin below.
“In the early morning at the fringes of the Thai-Cambodian border, I stood as a silent silhouette against a tapestry of travel and trade. The air hummed like a Buddhist Mantra with the wearied steps of those Cambodian traders returning to their homes. I could see their facial expressions that they couldn’t erase the horrors of the past, each carrying stories in their mind and weighted bags they clasped tightly in their hands. I also carried a load in the recesses of my tormented psyche – a history of violence and trafficking drugs, of prison in China – for crimes I did commit – and a childhood of silent screams. My depleted spirit ached for something good as it ran towards my future. Here, on this tattered edge of a land scarred by history’s cruel hand, I was hopeful that my pilgrimage of peace would sow the seeds of a brighter future. How wrong I was to be.’’
“Running over, Running over, My cup is full of Running over. This was to show that the spirit of the Lord had filled your soul – in my case, it spilled over into dark waters leading down the wrong path to redemption. I needed to be able to sit in silence away from the turmoil of daily life. I didn’t want the temptation with the availability of alcohol and drugs. It was my decision to extract myself from society, meditate, and keep a calm state of mind regardless of what situation I found myself in.
The next morning a gong echoed around the compound which was our sign to get out of bed. We all began walking to the meditation room and sat on the floor. The classes were held by an Indian teacher but he was not actually present, instead, it was recorded on tape. Sitting with my eyes closed I followed the instructions which was to watch the rise and fall of my breath so that my mind wouldn’t get caught up in other outward distractions and to always return to my breathing if it did. The voice of the teacher went on and on. The sound was disturbing and gave me a feeling of disorientation. What was I doing there listening to a recording that was coming from a machine – and why was it haunting me? I took a slow breath to control myself repeating ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. A mantra that teaches you to transform your impure body, speech, and mind.”
Lauchlan has published two books so far. Both books are available on Amazon.
Search for ‘The Diary of a Saffron Assassin’ and ‘Shanghaied and Shackled’. Lauchlan has asked that people leave reviews of his books on Amazon.
Lauchlan has kindly given us 15 printed copies of The Diary of a Saffron Assassin to send out to people. If you would like a copy, you can:
• email us at engagement@future-pathways.co.uk
• call us on 0808 164 2005 (lines open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Please note that the book does mention some instances of abuse.
Earlier this year, Future Pathways helped David to get a mountain bike to support him with his mental and physical health. Here, David shares his cycling stories and what the bike means to him.
David has always loved cycling and has done it all his life. He raced when he was younger, and cycled across Europe and America. It was important to him to keep up cycling as he got older.
Future Pathways supported David to get a pedal-assist bike. This type of bike has a motor to help you pedal more easily. This is very helpful when it comes to hills.
David goes to different places in Scotland and sees lots of scenery on his travels.
‘Where I live is ideal – I am surrounded by cycle paths and cycle networks, Edinburgh is great for it. I’m quite fortunate in that way.’
He has cycled in the Pentlands, Aberlady, North Berwick, Longniddrie, Glen Tress and the Cairngorms. He usually goes by train and then cycles back home. He recently went to Falkirk by train and then cycled all the way back. This was a 35-mile route along the canal and took about 4 and a half hours. His longest cycle was 105 miles, to Hawick and back.
‘You don’t think about the distance. you just carry on. I am out in hail or shine, it doesn’t bother me. Usually I am out every day.’
David looks at the cycle networks online to help him choose his routes. If he likes a route, he thinks about when he will go and for how long. He recently spent a weekend up in the Pentlands with his friend.
‘My favourite is up the Pentlands, it’s nice up there. It’s like being in the middle of nowhere even though you’re in a city. Me and my pal camped a couple of nights on Bonaly Hill and it was nice. Having that freedom to go where you want. Me and my pal do quite a few cycle trips. We are both bike mad.’
There are lots of things David enjoys about cycling and he knows a lot about bikes.
‘I like the mechanics, physical exercise and just getting out. It is a mixture of things. I volunteer at the bike station in Edinburgh fixing bikes for people or taking parts for new ones.’
Cycling means a lot to David. A couple of years ago, he had to sell his bike and this was difficult for him. Having a bike again has made a big difference.
‘It has been absolutely massive to my physical and mental health. I go everywhere on the bike. I’ve got a bus pass but I’d rather cycle. I don’t have to worry about anyone else.’
One of David’s most memorable routes was going out to Aberlady and cycling along a path that goes all the way to North Berwick. And for the best scenery, David’s favourite places are further north.
‘It has to be the Cairngorms and the Highlands. They are my favourite places any time of year. It is just so brilliant up there, it is spectacular.’
Having the bike means David can connect with local places too. He often cycles to Fresh Start, a charity that he volunteers with in Edinburgh. Fresh Start helps people who have been homeless.
‘Sometimes I’ll go down to Fresh Start and give them a hand or help with the soup kitchen. I worked for Fresh Start in the past and now I volunteer. It is good for the soul.’
What trips are ahead for David? Next year, he is going to Australia to see some of his family. He will see his sister who he has not seen for 20 years and he will meet his nephews too. David is going to take his bike with him.
‘There is some amazing cycling to do out there in Australia. I’m looking forward to the openness, the wild open country, it’s such a big place.’
In the meantime, David will use his bike to support his physical health, boost his wellbeing and to see more places in Scotland.
‘Cycling helps with my mental health. If I’m feeling under the weather, I’ll go on my bike for an hour and I’ll feel OK after it. The bike is everything to me. I wouldn’t be without it.’