Members of a local club for people with mental illnesses are gearing up for the launch of their new cycle group.

Caledonia Clubhouse has been working on the member led initiative all summer. A workshop has been built by people within the house and they will receive training so they can lead group cycles and maintain and repair their bikes.

The cycle group launch is part of the Clubhouse’s event to celebrate the nationwide Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW). The event takes place from 1:00pm to 3:30pm on Wednesday 8 October outside Calendar House, Falkirk.

The event will have stalls from agencies offering information on mental illness. This will be informal, drop-in events open to anyone who thinks it might be of use to them. Dawson Bike Club’s Dr. Bike will be on hand to check the condition of anyone’s bike too.

MHAW brings the struggle of those with mental illnesses to the attention of the nation. It seeks to combat the stigma surrounding such illnesses, which almost nine out of ten people with mental illnesses claim to have been victims of.

Since 2000, the Clubhouse has been a place where people with long term mental illnesses can meet others with similar conditions. Falkirk Council and NHS Forth Valley have jointly funded it and it now has over 125 members, with 14 of them expected to take part in the cycle group’s launch.

Cllr Linda Gow, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Health and Social Care said: "Caledonia Clubhouse is a great place where people with mental health issues can come together and provide peer support.

“As a club built from the ground up by the group, it is the latest example of how the Clubhouse is empowering its members by helping them build confidence and develop practical skills.

“The local area is a great place for this cycle group as we have over 500km of shared use paths.”

The cycle group allows the Clubhouse to link physical and mental wellbeing, and it is hoped the improved physical health of members can improve their mental health too.