The Remedy Café
Just The Remedy We Need
Catherine Lawson
The Remedy Café, located on the beach front in Ayr, is as much a vibrant community hub as it is a welcome retreat after a bracing walk by the sea. When Patrick and Catherine Doherty opened the café back in 2020 they quickly attracted both locals and visitors with their locally roasted coffee, handmade cakes, freshly prepared food and sweeping views of the sea. Being located by the beach, however, also meant that opportunities to engage local groups and activities were plentiful and so the Doherty family, in addition to building the café business, set about establishing a vibrant community base and meeting space to bring local people together.
One such community initiative, led by Patrick, is the Ayr branch of Cycling Without Age Scotland, one of 60 similar volunteer led programmes run across the country to get the elderly, and those with limited mobility, out and about on trishaws. Recognising that Ayr has a higher than average ageing population, Patrick saw an opportunity to use the cafe’s location to make a difference in the lives of those living nearby who would otherwise, due to age or immobility, be unable to enjoy the beautiful beach on their doorstep. Having signed up to establish Cycle Without Age in Ayr to meet that need, Patrick took delivery of his first two trishaws in December 2023.
The aim of the programme is simple: to connect the elderly and immobile with the wider community while supporting them to stay active and fit. Patrick started by approaching the local nursing homes to build partnerships, offering the activity to those who might benefit. It wasn’t long before any initial nervousness felt by participants turned to excitement and anticipation as they set off for weekly adventures by the beach, enjoying the fresh air while being out in the elements and thriving on the feelings of freedom. For the volunteers operating the trishaws the rewards are equally heartfelt; they’re witnessing those they take out enjoying good conversation and a laugh, waving and engaging with others, stopping to meet dogs and relishing their newfound sense of connection. For many, heading out on the trishaw has become the highlight of their week: it has opened up their world.
With the success of the trishaws apparent, Patrick is keen to develop the initiative further having identified huge potential for growth. The South Ayrshire Thriving Communities team and the local Rotary Club supported the purchase of the first two trishaws which cost £10k each: the aim is now to procure a third which is wheelchair friendly, further extending access to the activity. The trishaws, which are custom made in Denmark, are built for comfort, safety and ease of use. For those operating them (referred to as pilots) full training is given across 2 x 2 hour sessions, much of which focuses on safely supporting the elderly and immobile on and off so that everyone feels confident going out. Having a regular body of volunteer pilots (the aim is 20 per trishaw to cover the outings across any given week) is key to the success of the programme much of which hinges on the relationships built through consistency between the pilots and the nursing homes/individuals they support. It’s often in the relationships which are built that those accessing the service find the confidence to embrace the activity.
Extending the service to people of all ages who face mobility issues is a priority for Patrick who encourages anyone interested in accessing the activity, either for themselves or someone they know, to get in touch. It’s a free service, run on the spirit of volunteering, which is enriching the lives of locals and which has the potential to enrich many more.
If you’d like to get involved in any way please e-mail Patrick at ayrcwas@yahoo.com and in the meantime, be sure to offer a wave if a trishaw passes your way.
