Aged care residents at Lifeview Argyle Court in Chelsea beamed with pride this week as bicycles they had lovingly restored shimmered in the sunshine.
Visiting Pastor Adrian Turner, from the Chelsea Community Church of Christ, was on hand to gratefully accept the first donated products of Lifeview’s unique Re-Cycle initiative, two sparkling pushbikes.
The bikes had come a long way since Lifeview maintenance officer Robbie sourced them from kerbside rubbish.
Under the Lifeview Re-Cycle banner – the residents selected the logo which is applied as a decal sticker on all restored bikes – residents have been coming together fortnightly to work on the bikes with Robbie and Social Support team member Gayle.
They meet in the shed at Argyle Court where Robbie has set up bench space. There are clamps, ratchets, spanners, screwdrivers and more.
On nice days they work in the sunshine.
For Robbie and Gayle, Re-Cycle is a weekly activity now as the program has expanded from fortnightly at Argyle Court to sessions every other week at Lifeview Willow Wood in Cranbourne.
Resident David laughs as he refers to Robbie as “our leader”.
Robbie is enjoying the program and getting enormous value from it.
“Some of the stories from these guys here might have to stay in the shed,” he laughs.
"Listening to their backgrounds, their childhoods and things like that, it's very nice and good to be able to give back through a program like this."
Robbie (Lifeview Maintenance Officer)
Gayle agrees. “There is so much experience and talent in the room among the residents and they get great enjoyment out of getting back on the tools,” she says.
“This is a really enjoyable part of my job, and I love seeing the residents respond so positively and enthusiastically.”
Robbie recalls last year’s Lifeview Grow, Lead, Connect staff leadership conference, where team members divided into groups and took part in an activity to build flat pack bicycles from scratch.
Staff thought it a competition at first, but once all bikes were all built and on display, it was announced the bikes would be donated to children from the Heart Kids charity.
When the kids and their parents suddenly emerged on the day, the youngsters quickly found their new bikes and were overjoyed as they rode around the room.
“That was really special and stuck with everyone in the room,” Robbie recalls.
Staff at Lifeview Grow, Lead, Connect 2023 joined by children from HeartKids on their new bikes.
“It was afterwards that Sam (Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell) pulled me aside and said we want to turn this into a resident program, building bikes to donate back into the community. It’s a great idea.”
Pastor Adrian said the local church was ecstatic to be involved in the program and chosen by Lifeview to receive bicycles.
“We’ll certainly find suitable homes for these bicycles. It’s such a wonderful program to help the community,” he said.
“We are delighted to be involved. It is a great opportunity.”
Resident David has been attending Re-Cycle sessions since it began at Argyle Court. He looks forward to it every fortnight and feels it is more valuable to his health and wellbeing than some may think.
“Sometimes people in places like this perhaps used to retire and sit around and do nothing,” he said.
“But now, with these programs, you’re keeping people active and engaged. Mentally and physically to keep doing things is much better for people.
“I find it very important. If you sit around and do nothing, and TV's not worth watching nowadays, these programs are very important. It keeps us interested.”
Fellow resident and Re-Cycle team member Kevin, who used to work for Toyota, agrees, saying he thoroughly enjoys the sessions.
“Absolutely I look forward to them. It’s great,” he said.
Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell explained the importance of resident activities such as Re-Cycle.
“It’s very important for mental health and wellbeing that residents are engaging in activities that they enjoy. Things that have always brought them joy, such as working on bikes and projects, it’s a great social gathering for the men,” she said.
“The giving back to the community aspect of the program is also very important to the residents. They know these bikes are going back into the community to be cherished by people who don’t have a bike and will be enormously appreciative of the residents’ efforts.”
The first session at Willow Wood last week saw a group of 10 residents attend.
They had a great time, and all attendees recalled different bicycle stories.
All residents agreed they would be back in a fortnight.
“We’ve all grown up using our hands for this kind of work and to be able to reuse those skills now just gives you a little bit more engagement and enjoyment,” Robbie said.
“These guys (at Argyle Court) have taken it to the next level, saying ‘give us this wheel and we’ll polish it up while you’re not here’, which is great.”
Lifeview delivers innovative, award-winning care and wellness through four homes in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. With a model that is a world away from the “traditional nursing home model”, Lifeview residents are afforded an industry-leading social and lifestyle program, exceptional care and wellness, and delicious and nutritious meals prepared by qualified chefs. Lifeview is proudly pet-friendly, with residents encouraged to bring their beloved pets into the home when they join the community. As a proudly Rainbow Tick accredited organisation, Lifeview is inclusive and welcoming. Learn more about the Lifeview difference at www.lifeview.com.au
