For our 57 care home residents the key to their independence is good health and well-being.
For three years we have been providing a personalised and tailored therapy service in collaboration with
Hobbs Rehabilitation.
Our residents have seen improvements in their: posture, mobility and strength. In order for them to continue on this path to good health and well-being and greater independence, it is vital that they can have the opportunity to regularly exercise.
Currently many of our residents struggle to access exercise opportunities. They face barriers such as: lack of affordable and accessible transport, facilities and equipment that aren’t suited to their needs and lack of specialist support to help them to exercise safely.
The World Health Organization states “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The addition of an accessible bike will bring immense value to all of our residents’ well-being
We know that the benefits of exercise would be huge for them, weight loss, increased self-confidence, decreased risk of health problems such as: diabetes, high blood pressure and ultimately more independence.
We would like to purchase an adapted bike. The bike we need your help to buy is the ‘Draisin Twister Side by Side’. It is specifically made for two, allowing riders to sit next to each other, supporting conversation and reassurance between the client and therapist or support staff
The design allows both riders to fully participate in steering and pedalling, with the flexibility of adjusting the pedals to enable one rider to opt out of pedalling and rest whilst the other continues to cycle. The bike is fully accessible with a large range of available accessories. The handlebars can be retracted whilst riders mount or dismount, seats are adjustable in depth and positions to accommodate different users, an extra—long sliding seat system for shorter users, special seats, indicators and wheelchair carrying plates.
The addition of an accessible bike will bring immense value to all of our residents’ well-being. We would like to purchase an adapted bike. The bike we need your help to buy is the ‘Draisin Twister Side by Side’. It is specifically made for two, allowing riders to sit next to each other, supporting conversation and reassurance between the client and therapist or support staff. The design allows both riders to fully participate in steering and pedalling, with the flexibility of adjusting the pedals to enable one rider to opt out of pedalling and rest whilst the other continues to cycle. The bike is fully accessible with a large range of available accessories. The handlebars can be retracted whilst riders mount or dismount, seats are adjustable in depth and positions to accommodate different users, an extra—long sliding seat system for shorter users, special seats, indicators and wheelchair carrying plates.
The ‘Twister’ has three wheels and provides a stable foundation for individuals who lack balance, strength or confidence. The bikes will also have the addition of an electric motor, adding power at inclines. We recently had the supplier come in and do a trial session with some of our residents. As you can see from the pictures and their comments, they loved it! One bike will cost £9,574. To ensure that our residents can access a safe cycling route on our home estate, we also need to widen a stretch of pathway. Additionally each resident will have an assessment with our physiotherapy team. We need £11,000 to give our residents this fantastic opportunity to keep fit and healthy. The full breakdown of costs is below
Tina’s Story
I live in Elizabeth House, one of the Enham Trust’s care homes and I love my flat. I have lots of cuddly toys and a very big film collection. Chick flicks are my favourite! I have been working with the Hobbs physiotherapy team for over three years now. Lizzie is my physiotherapist and she is great, putting me at ease and making me believe I can do something. I have sessions twice a week with Sue who is a Rehabilitation Assistant and we work on the programme of exercises Lizzie has designed specifically for me.
It is really important for me to have regular therapy sessions. Without them I wouldn’t be able to move at all and my progress would go backwards. I would become less independent, and I don’t want that. I have quite a lot of health problems and being able to access regular exercise would really help. I currently use the indoor exercise bike in the therapy suite to keep movement in my legs. An outdoor one would be much better, I could get fresh air and I think I would be more motivated.
Just getting on the bike will be a huge achievement for me
For me, the biggest thing is to be able to move a little more freely than I can at the moment. I don’t want to have to rely on medication, like muscle relaxant tablets. I want to feel more confident. Having an outdoor bike would be brilliant. In time I could go cycling with my lead PA Florence. I just want to have more freedom
It would be great exercise, I could go to Tesco on a bike” – Svend
It is just really good fun, I’d like to go every week.” – Tas
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