Article ·
EBSE Terrassa: Listen, observe and measure. Learning from volunteering.
A way of getting closer to people’s wellbeing by following up on every ride.
How do you capture what a ride means to someone? A conversation with Marta, from En Bici Sense Edat ( Cycling Without Age) in Terrassa, brings us closer to paying attention to the emotions and stories of the people taking part. For HALOAH, it is a chance to learn about the value of volunteering from a concrete experience.
A ride leaves memories, sparks conversations or offers moments of calm and company. Gathering these experiences systematically makes it possible to explore the changes that come with them. With this in mind we visited Marta and learned how the En Bici Sense Edat ( Cycling Without Age) project is approached in Terrassa. Their commitment to building observation and record-keeping into everyday volunteering is fascinating: documenting each ride, and how passengers feel before setting out and when they return. Knowledge from up close.
It includes a mood barometer, recording emotions in terms of wellbeing and energy level. This twofold view captures a range of experiences: feeling better can show up as joy and enthusiasm, but also as serenity or calm. Comparing before and after each ride makes assessments easier and helps track mood at each moment. Comments and stories add context: running into someone from the neighbourhood, recognising a cherished place or holding on to a pleasant feeling are experiences that help interpret the data.
"Modern science has yet to produce a tranquilizing medicine as effective as a few kind words."
— Sigmund Freud.
This experience has been a source of learning. These are steps that can make it easier to collaborate with professionals in research, health and social care. The visit to Terrassa thus reinforces one of the project’s convictions: knowledge is also built by sharing what organisations already do, learning from their experience and working together to explain better the value they bring to people and to society.
For more information or to collaborate with the project in Terrassa
contact the project coordinator, Marta Lladó Cardona:
from https://enbicisenseedat.cat/terrassa_/
marta.llado@enbicisenseedat.cat