Stockport care home resident’s rickshaw wish fulfilled

A care home in Stockport has surprised one resident by making her long-held wish a reality.

Mary Maclennan, who now lives at Care UK’s Ladybrook Manor on Dairyground Road in Bramhall, enjoyed watching her daughters, Fiona, Alison, Claire, and Susanne, grow up with cycling as a big part of their lives.

It made a particular impression on Alison, who now volunteers as a trishaw cyclist in Scotland. Wanting to experience the joy of cycling that her daughter brings to people in the community, Mary told the team members at Ladybrook Manor of her ambition to travel in a rickshaw for the first time.

They set to work and arranged a special day out to Astbury Mere Country Park in Cheshire. On her arrival, Mary met Matthew, a volunteer from charity Beartown Rickshaw.

She sat in the front passenger seat alongside minibus driver Alison, while Matthew cycled the trishaw around the green oasis. During the ride, Mary sat back and enjoyed the scenic views and peaceful atmosphere on offer.

She said: “It was wonderful to experience something my daughter enjoys doing for others.

“I loved feeling the wind in my hair and taking in all the beautiful scenery. Now I can tell my daughter I've had a trishaw ride too!”

The visit was made possible thanks to Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit or even activities linked to past careers. From flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small for the team to try to grant.

Susan Cameron, Home Manager at Ladybrook Manor, said: “Mary is extremely proud of her daughter volunteering in Scotland. She’s often commented that she wants to experience travelling in a rickshaw, so we knew we had to arrange for her to try it for herself.

“The experience made Mary feel happy, refreshed and proud she had achieved something she could share with her daughter. It gave her a sense of connection to her daughter's volunteering and created a special memory for her to treasure. Seeing her face light up with joy as she cycled through the beautiful countryside was extremely special.

“A huge thank you goes to our amazing team at Ladybrook Manor for making the day one to remember.”

Ladybrook Manor provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home has its own couple suites, café and hair and beauty salon, while the building is configured into a series of neighbourhoods to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.