From a Member's Viewpoint
Member No 1
I have been suffering with Cognitive Memory Disorder for several years now. This meant that I would forget things that I had done in the previous weeks. This might not sound too bad but it was having a severe impact on my life. A little over two and half years ago (As of January 2024) I found out about West Wales Motorcycle Club and decided to visit one of the workshop sessions. The first time I visited I arrived just too late, but luckily for me one of the members was still outside. He invited me for a cup of tea and we got chatting and later that afternoon we went out for a ride to Pendine Sands. That was enough to make me decide to go back again and I have been coming ever since. Since coming to the club my quality of life has improved dramatically. I look forward to the weekends when the club workshop is open. There is a very friendly atmosphere, everyone is very welcoming and everyone will stop and talk. We all share our love of motorcycles. I have been riding motorcycles for 60 years and had never before ventured into doing any maintenance. Since coming to the club those with mechanical expertise have shown me how to do a whole host of maintenance tasks. As a result I have now been doing some tasks at home, such as adjusting the drive chain and oil changes. This has saved me money and increased my confidence. Members of my family have noticed a difference in me since I began going along to the club. For example, my granddaughter always tells me that I am much happier when I come back from the club.Member number 2
I have been a part of the club since 2018. Growing up I have never really interacted with people I have always just stayed by myself. Being a part of the club has made me come out of my shell. As well as learning new tricks and tips with the bikes compared to what he have done with the cars and all that. It also helped me to communicate with other people because I had always stayed by myself I suffer with autism, so I have Asperger's and ADHD as well as Depression and Anxiety With my Autism it (The club) has really made a difference compared to other people. I have really come out of my shell. It has built up my confidence as well. It has helped me understand how bikes work. Even to the point where I have done my CBT and I have got a bike and I am going to ride it. I am glad to be a member.Member number 3
I have been coming to the club for at least three years. I have gained a lot of friends and more than anything experience. I have gained memories and fun times and having stories to tell and listening to stories that other's have to tell. Its all very fun and interesting. That's not even including the mechanic element which in itself is very interesting. Honestly there is nothing like it. I can't think where I'd be if I hadn't been introduced to the club.Member number 4
I have been coming to the club since day one. There is no pressure in the workshop. There are plenty of people you can ask about things. It is really getting my brains to think about things now. It is brilliant. It is really opening my mind. It is not all clogged up now. I talk to everybody in the club. Before that, I probably wouldn't say too much to anybody. I suffer with schizophrenia, it is what it is. I can have a good day sometimes but since workshop, it has put me in another dimension. I am checking me dates to see when the next workshop is. It is brilliant. It is really good. There isn't anybody in the workshop you can't have a natter with. It's undoing all those years of bad.