Free Wheel North is a multifunctional organisation located in Glasgow, Scotland that aims to improve mental and physical health through various projects and initiatives. While primarily focused on cycling, Free Wheel North also offers disability services and support, as well as operates a bicycle repair shop.
The organisation believes that internet hate is a significant cause of mental anguish and suicide, and plans to campaign for the protection of individuals from this form of abuse. They advocate for the recognition of psychological assault as being equally serious as physical assault. The new website currently under construction will showcase how Free Wheel North's work contributes to their vision of transforming society and connecting issues such as net-zero carbon, mental health, the right to play, and the design of public spaces. They emphasise that our individual lives are part of a larger reality and aim to break down the perceived barriers between their different projects.
Free Wheel North operates with an eight-part strategy, which encompasses various aspects of their work. Their Five-Year Mission involves scaling up and replicating their successful projects to reach a wider audience.
The Glasgow Green Cycling Centre, the UK's busiest inclusive cycling centre, is a prime example of their work. It serves hundreds of special needs organisations and tens of thousands of individuals. The centre is open every day of the year, providing a safe and inclusive space for people to enjoy cycling, regardless of the weather.
Another focus of Free Wheel North is public space design. They believe that public spaces should be designed to facilitate human connexion, recreation, and social interaction. Their Cycling Centre serves as a model for this, creating a safe space for children to play and fostering social connexions.
Free Wheel North also engages in the Campaign for Mental Health Justice and conducts research into mob psychology. They aim to combat the destructive impact of hate and lies on people's lives, advocating for knowledge and understanding instead. Additionally, the organisation provides outreach services, taking inclusive cycling to various communities through roadshows and demonstrations.
The Whitehouse Project is a branch of Free Wheel North located in Maryhill. It is a hub for art, free dinners, environmental projects, and plans to incorporate alternative energy in 2024. The Whitehouse Project also acts as a networking centre for accessible public space design, hosts an ideas caf, and operates a bike shop.
The Boomerang Project, although partly independent now, continues to be a strong partner of Free Wheel North. It focuses on recycling wood into useful products, providing employment opportunities for excluded individuals.
Lastly, Free Wheel North houses Coffee on the Green, a caf located within the Cycling Centre. Made from shipping containers, the caf serves as a community hub and can be rented as a venue. It also offers space for mental health support activities.
Overall, Free Wheel North is an organisation that strives to improve mental and physical health through inclusive cycling, public space design, disability services, and repairs. Through their various projects, they aim to transform society into a compassionate and climate-friendly network of inclusion.