What About the Person Who Isn’t Ready to Join a Group Yet?

In our last blog, we explored friendships in adulthood and the importance of community groups like ours - places where people can socialise, meet new people and build connections without the pressure of having to organise everything themselves.

But what about the person who isn't ready to join a group yet?

Over the past year of delivering Trails to Wellbeing, we've learned a lot. One thing in particular has become increasingly clear: group activities are brilliant, but they aren't always the right starting point for everyone.

For someone experiencing anxiety, low confidence or social isolation, simply turning up somewhere new can be a huge step. Add unfamiliar people, worries about keeping up, concerns about ability and the uncertainty of a new environment, and that first step can become a significant barrier.

Here in Moray, we're fortunate to have lots of fantastic community activities. But having opportunities available doesn't necessarily mean everyone feels able to access them.

So what about the person who isn't ready yet?

Where do they start?

Starting with one person

This is where Trails to Wellbeing has increasingly found its place.

Rather than expecting someone to arrive and immediately participate in a group, we can start with 1:1 mountain biking sessions.

One participant. One supportive practitioner. A bike. And some time outdoors.

It creates a quieter, lower-pressure environment where someone can get comfortable, build trust, learn at their own pace and gradually develop confidence.

The mountain bike gives us something to focus on together. Conversation doesn't have to be forced. Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we concentrate on riding. Sometimes we stop somewhere along the trail and take a minute.

There isn't an expectation that someone has to communicate or engage in a particular way.

The group can come later

The aim isn't to keep someone in 1:1 support forever.

As confidence develops, we can begin exploring what might come next.

For some people, that could mean joining one of our community rides. For others, it might be another cycling group, a different outdoor activity or simply feeling more confident about getting outside independently.

And for some participants, joining a group might not be the right next step yet.

That's okay too.

Progress looks different for different people.

Learning from our first year

This is one of the biggest lessons we've taken from the first year of Trails to Wellbeing.

We've therefore refined the programme around what we've seen in practice.

Trails to Wellbeing is now a referral-only programme providing up to six fully funded 1:1 mountain biking sessions for people aged 12 and over who may benefit from additional individual support.

We're particularly interested in supporting people who might otherwise struggle to access existing community opportunities because of anxiety, low confidence, social isolation or other barriers to participation.

It isn't counselling or therapy.

It's a community-based wellbeing programme using mountain biking, nature and individual support to help someone take their next step.

Building the bridge

Community groups matter. Social connection matters. Getting people involved in their communities matters.

But sometimes there's a missing step between being isolated and being ready to participate.

That's the space we're increasingly trying to fill.

The bike can be a bridge into nature.

1:1 support can be a bridge towards confidence.

And confidence can eventually become a bridge towards connection.

Sometimes, before asking someone to join the group, we simply need to give them somewhere safe to start.

If you'd like to learn more about Trails to Wellbeing, including who the programme is for and how to make a referral, visit our Trails to Wellbeing page.