A TRISHAW has taken care home residents for a ride down memory lane – after a romantic trundle around Saltburn-by-the-Sea with their wives.
Residents from Hazelgrove Court Care Home, on Randolph Street, were treated to rides around the seaside town by Cycling Without Age Stockton-on-Tees.
Using the organisation’s specialist trishaw, volunteers took several residents, all with dementia, for a 20-to-30-minute cycle around Saltburn.
They followed the miniature railway route alongside Skelton Beck, before heading down to the seafront, along the promenade to the pier.
The rides brought back memories for all the residents, who recalled past trips to the Saltburn seafront, time spent overseas, riding their own bikes, and work.
Ted Howell 86, who has always been a biker, competing in sand and trial riding, rode with his wife Sheila. She said: “He was smiling all the way round. It must have brought back some great memories of his biking days.”
Ray Carr, 88, and his wife Myrna recalled their time in India after their ride. Ray said: “It was absolutely wonderful. I’ve spent many happy hours in Saltburn.”
Myrna added: “It was great to see Ray happy and stimulated. We lived in India for two years, so it brought back memories of the rickshaws for us both.”
Rueben Flounders, 78, was joined by his wife Lynn for a spin on the trishaw. Rueben said: “It was a great experience. Lovely to ride past Saltburn miniature railway, where I worked as a volunteer for over 20 years.” Lynn added: “It was a great afternoon. I really enjoyed it.”
Cycling Without Age was set up by the Stockton-on-Tees chapter of Hand In Hand Activities CIC to tackle social isolation in older people through access to the outdoors on a specialist trishaw.
Sharon Lewis, activities coordinator at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, said: “I thought it was a wonderful afternoon and we’d like to say a huge thank you to Cycling Without Age for making it possible.
“It makes my day to be able to make a happy memory that Reuben, Ted and Ray can share with their wives.
“Sometimes I think people feel that when their loved one goes into a care home they might never get the chance to enjoy doing activities together. We’ve shown today that there are so many things to enjoy together.”