After more than ten years of never touching his guitar, Resident Mike Fanning from HC-One’s
Pendleton Court care home, in Salford, has been encouraged by one Colleague to start playing again, and this has made him so happy that he’s now working on a Christmas performance for fellow Residents.
Mike, who lives at the 58-bed residential, nursing and residential dementia care home, was born in Salford in 1953. He is from a large Irish-born family of musicians and his cousin is famous Irish folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Christy Moore.
Having started to play the guitar at the age of 15, Mike played regularly for the congregation at the local St James Church and has very fond memories of the guitar.
Mike, who has travelled the world in the Merchant Navy, enjoys chatting to Colleagues about his hobbies and interests, and Wellbeing Coordinator Lesley Moore thought that his love of playing the guitar could be restored.
When Mike retired, he received a guitar (pictured) as a gift but had not played for ten years. He told Lesley that it wasn’t tuned. So, she downloaded a tuning app and the pair sat and tuned it together.
Lesley then bought Mike some guitar picks and then customised them so he could grip it better. He thought this was incredibly helpful and afterwards, Mike started playing ‘The Doors - Riders on the Storm’. He amazed Colleagues and himself as him and Lesley sat singing along together.
Now Lesley and Mike play regularly together, including one of the favourites, ‘The House of the Rising Sun - by The Animals’.
Mike has been so happy since he has been playing again and looks forward playing. He commented, “It has made me so happy.”
He is currently practising Bob Marley and is hoping to perform it to the other Residents at Pendleton Court towards Christmas.
Kelly Myatt, Care Home Manager at Pendleton Court, said,
“As a Home Manager, my aim is ultimately to ensure that each Resident receives the high quality of care and support. In order to achieve this, we need a committed and enthusiastic team to work alongside. I feel privileged to have this at Pendleton court. Lesley is truly amazing! I love the difference she makes every day to the lives of our wonderful Residents.”
Lesley Moore, Wellbeing Coordinator at Pendleton Court, remarked,
“My aim is to learn and discover everything about our Residents to enrich their lives with meaningful activities, I love these golden moments, that’s why I love my job so much, creating memories and improving their quality of life.”