Trishaw tours of Middlesbrough for elderly residents

ELDERLY care home residents have been whizzing around Middlesbrough on a trishaw thanks to a community group.

Residents at The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, have been taken on tours by Cycling Without Age Stockton-on-Tees Chapter.

The group of volunteers was set up to enable older people and those with mobility issues to get out and experience the outdoors.

The three-wheeled, motor assisted cycles allow up to two passengers at a time to be ferried around, see the sights, and spark memories.

Michael Lavran, 84, is one of The Gables Care Home’s residents who enjoyed a ride on the trishaw. He ordinarily prefers to stay inside, according to the care home’s activities coordinator, Samantha McCormick, but the novelty of the experience was enough to tempt him to try something new.

Staff were also able to enjoy the experience, including domestic worker Alisha Bingham and carer Emma Mann, who tried piloting the trishaw.

Resident Jean Parker, 82, said: “I discovered places around The Gables that I didn’t even know existed.”

Samantha said: “I loved the way the residents’ faces lit up on the bike. It was a joy to see them do something they had never dreamed of doing in a normal day.

“We’re planning to have Cycling Without Age at Stewart Park in the summer, so residents can enjoy seeing the 120-acre site. Everyone is already very excited.”