Havenmere support Michael to build his own bike

Michael, who lives with a brain injury and is on a rehabilitation pathway at Exemplar Health Care’s specialist care home in Immingham, has always had a passion for bicycles and motorbikes, and thanks to the specialist support from the home, has impressively built his own bike that he now uses around the local area with the support of the care team.

Before moving to Havenmere, Michael competed in bike races and built bikes in his spare time and after talking to the home’s care and activities team about his interest, it was found that Havenmere’s activities co-ordinator Darren shared his passion.

Discovering they had a shared passion for motoring, Michael and Darren spent the summer going along to local scrap yards to collect parts to create their own bike. The pair spent hours in the home’s garden piecing together parts of four separate bikes to make a brand new one of their own.

Michael and Darren now use the bike to cycle around the local area and to go on day visits. This year, they plan to build a second bike so that they can have one each.

Diane Howden, Home Manager at Havenmere, said: “I am so impressed with the bike Michael and Darren have put together and it’s fantastic to see Michael doing something he really enjoys.

“At Havenmere, we really work with our residents to ensure we are doing everything we can to meet people’s needs and aspirations.

“Michael has always been passionate about everything to do with bikes – so we wanted to help him carry on his hobby when he moved to the home. It’s great to see him and Darren out and about on a bike they made themselves!

“At Havenmere, the care and activities team really care and value the people who live in our homes, and we apply a very person-centred culture with a real understanding for people to reach their aspirations.”