Derbyshire, EnglandCharity Launch FilmMental Health MotorbikeMental Health Motorbike
Esses MagazineSet against the vast, open landscapes of the Derbyshire Peaks, this short film for Mental Health Motorbike is a visual journey from isolation to connection — exploring how community can pull someone back from the brink
Told through the story of one rider searching for a way out of his own darkness, the reconstruction moves from claustrophobic, interior moments to the freedom of the open road, mirroring the emotional transition from despair to hope. It’s an honest, cinematic portrait of how small acts of support can change a life — and how a community built around motorcycles has become a lifeline for thousands across the UK.
Created as the charity’s launch film, it serves as both an emotional touchpoint and a call to action: a reminder that no one rides alone.
Details
Specs.
14k
5 Days Pre
2 Days Prod
8 Days Post
Schedule
Director
AD
DP
Art Dir.
Focus Puller
Gaffer
Sound
Runner
Crew
Arri Alexa Mini
2:1 Ratio
Canon K35
Black Arm + Ronin 2
Budget
James Copson
Alex Hughes
James Stier
Alice Halstead
Mark Lomas
Jake McAlister
Darrell Ford
Ellie Devereux
00:02:13
ProRes 4444
S35
ROIOutcomes
Audience generation / engagement
The film delivered remarkable organic engagement, reaching 318,000+ views, generating 505 comments, and contributing to Mental Health Motorbike’s steady YouTube subscriber growth to 4,000+. These aren’t passive reactions, they’re lived experiences. Hundreds of riders responded by sharing their own stories of struggle, healing and survival, validating the charity’s mission in real time.
One of the most powerful responses came from a rider who wrote:
“I was in the brink of committing suicide… Riding helped me to be a survivor.”
And another, equally moving:
“Buying a motorbike saved my life.”
These are proof that the film resonated emotionally with the community it was made for. In charity marketing terms, it’s the gold standard; measurable reach combined with meaningful, life-affirming interaction.
Industry support
Although the film was produced on a modest budget, we were able to significantly elevate the final look by leveraging long-standing industry relationships.
Through support from Pro Vision and trusted collaborators, we accessed high-end equipment, crew expertise and specialist resources that would normally be out of reach for smaller charities.
The result was a cinematic, emotionally resonant film that feels on par with commercial brand work, yet delivered at a cost level designed for the third sector.
High production value didn’t just make the campaign look good; it strengthened the message and reinforced confidence in the charity’s mission.
Trust
The film’s sensitive portrayal of isolation, recovery and connection helped position Mental Health Motorbike as a trusted voice within a community that often struggles to speak openly.
By removing dialogue and letting the visuals carry the emotional weight, the story adopted a reflective, non-judgmental tone that riders responded to with honesty. Our lead actor/contributor, a real person and rider, became a blank slate for viewers to project their own experience onto.
Comments like “why am I tearing up… I connect with this so much” from @trillykolla and “Riding is my medication” from @xsr7009 show how strongly people saw their own lives reflected back at them.
For organisations working in mental health, this kind of credibility can’t be manufactured and has to be earned through care and respect.
Brand partnership
The project also benefitted from a collaborative partnership with Triumph Motorcycles, who provided the bike featured in the film alongside a portion of the production budget.
This act allowed Triumph to stand at the centre of an important conversation within its own sector — mental health, community and rider wellbeing, while giving Mental Health Motorbike the support of a respected global brand.
The collaboration created a win–win as the charity gained production value and credibility, and Triumph aligned itself with a meaningful movement that resonates deeply with riders. It’s a model of how brands can use documentary storytelling to contribute authentically to social issues while expanding their own cultural relevance.
mhmotorbike.comPaul Oxborough
Paul Oxborough is the founder of Mental Health Motorbike, a UK charity dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of riders and building a nationwide network of trained Mental Health First Aiders. A lifelong motorcyclist and former youth worker, Paul combined his passion for two wheels with decades of experience in community support to create a space where riders could talk openly, find connection and get help without judgement.
Driven by compassion, lived experience and an instinct for bringing people together, Paul has grown Mental Health Motorbike from a small peer-support idea into a trusted national charity — one built on the belief that no one should ever ride alone.
