A unique partnership between a women’s pre-release centre, an aged care provider and a cycling charity is delivering more than just rides. It is restoring dignity, building confidence and creating unexpected friendships.
Residents at Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women in Western Australia have donated a specially designed trishaw bike to Cycling Without Age (CWA) and SwanCare, a neighbouring residential aged care provider. The donation, made possible by funds raised at Boronia’s 2024 Gala Day, will allow elderly residents to experience the joy of outdoor rides with trained volunteer pilots at the helm —women who are preparing to re-enter the community after serving time.
The initiative is about far more than transport.
“Giving people an experience they don’t usually get because they are limited physically, just being given that trust, changes something in us. It turns us from prisoners into people,” one Boronia resident shared.
The trishaw, which is the first of its kind assembled in Western Australia, proudly bears the Boronia name. It is a symbol of pride for the women who helped bring it to life.
“Having something we can put our name on now is an absolute privilege,” another resident said. “To be able to say, ‘We worked towards that, this is our part in our community’, is amazing.”
The program sees Boronia residents trained by Cycling Without Age supervisors to safely operate the trishaw, which allows two aged care residents to sit side by side at the front of the bike while a volunteer pedals from behind. The rides offer fresh air, exercise and meaningful conversation, forging new social connections between groups who may never have otherwise crossed paths.
Karen O’Connor from Cycling Without Age said the women have become an integral part of the volunteer team.
“They feel welcome, safe and connected, and that they’re needed, which they are,” she said. “They’ve become part of our volunteer family.”
For some women, it is their first experience with volunteering. For others, it is a reminder of the value they can bring to the world.
“Volunteering is a great way to build your self-esteem because you’re putting yourself back out there,” one participant said. “I feel very lucky.”
Boronia’s Manager of Family and Community Services, Susan Andrews, said the program not only benefits aged care residents, but also sets women up for life after release.
“A lot of women will leave here without a job, so it’s great to link them to strong supports through volunteering,” she said. “It removes some of the stigma or need to explain where they’re from because they’re already part of the program.”
Since it began in 2005, Boronia’s annual Gala Day has raised more than $380,000 for various charities. This year, the nearly $35,000 raised helped purchase the trishaw, now a symbol of freedom and community connection.
As it rolls through the streets with seniors smiling in the front seat, this custom-built bike is much more than a mode of transport. It is a powerful reminder of what people can achieve when given a second chance.
