Mobility Info - UK
Shopmobility
Shopmobility is a scheme whereby loan and hire centres lend manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and scooters to members of the public with limited mobility. Based in town and city centres, usually in shopping precincts, the scheme opens up shopping, leisure and business facilities to the less mobile.
The Shopmobility scheme is open to anyone of any age, whether they are disabled temporarily or permanently. People do not need to be registered disabled to take advantage of the service; indeed, those suffering from injury or illness are just as welcome to use Shopmobility as and when needed.
The cost of using Shopmobility services varies from location to location. While many schemes are free, others charge a fee for their services. This can either be in the form of an annual registration fee or a fee per equipment hire. Other Shopmobility schemes merely encourage donations to cover their costs.
The service is easy to use. On your first visit, bring some form of identification containing your name and address. You will need to register your details, after which the staff will probably issue you with a membership card that you can show the next time you use the service. Having discussed with you what type of equipment you need to borrow, staff will provide training on how to use the apparatus if required.
Once you are confident in using the wheelchair or scooter, you will be all set to go. The whole process should not take more than fifteen to thirty minutes; obviously, if you have already used the service and are familiar with the equipment, this process will be shortened considerably. Most equipment is hired on a daily basis, though some centres will allow longer loans under certain circumstances by arrangement.
Some Shopmobility schemes will provide a volunteer escort – for example, if you are visually impaired. It makes sense to book in advance if you would like an escort. In any case, most Shopmobility centres advise advance booking to make sure the apparatus you need is available and to avoid disappointment.
Shopmobility originally came about as a result of the increasing awareness in town centre management of the need to make facilities accessible to the disabled. The first scheme was set up to make Peterborough’s new shopping centre accessible, and there are now more than 230 Shopmobility premises across the U.K. In total, Shopmobility employs around 500 paid staff and 2,000 volunteers. Over 4,000 manual wheelchairs and 4,000 electric scooters are available for loan nationwide. In addition, the scheme has around 1,000 electric wheelchairs and 400 children’s wheelchairs for public use.
The countrywide Shopmobility schemes now come under the umbrella of the National Federation of Shopmobility U.K., a registered charity founded in 1990. This charity exists to support and promote its affiliated Shopmobility schemes and to encourage new Shopmobility ventures to be set up. Their website, including a directory of Shopmobility locations, can be found at www.shopmobilityuk.org/.
