Scoot along to Hereford’s Shopmobility scheme
A scheme which helps hundreds of shoppers with mobility problems each year to get around Hereford is holding an open day for people to find out what they can offer.
Shopmobility, which is tucked away in a corner of the Maylord Orchards car park, will throw open its doors for two days, on Friday, February 29 and Saturday, March 1, to show what they've got on offer.
"The main aim of these days is to help people with a temporary or permanent physical disability, their families, friends and carers to see for themselves what Shopmobility can do to help people with improved access to shopping and other leisure experiences," said Cllr Glenda Powell, Chairman of the Hereford Shopmobility liaison committee.
"Hereford's Shopmobility scheme has been running since June 1990.
"We have 17 scooters, nine electric wheelchairs and 12 manual wheelchairs which we loan out free of charge," added Cllr Powell.
Jim Lawes, from Herefordshire Access for All, said: "We're proud to have been in partnership with Hereford City and Herefordshire Council since the beginning of Hereford Shopmobility service.
"Over the years our fund-raising efforts have fulfilled our commitment to provide, maintain and insure all the vehicles in use and to make certain that a good, reliable fleet has always been available."
Cllr Brian Wilcox, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "It's amazing what a difference the scheme makes to people's lives when they visit Hereford.
"As well as having regular customers from across the county, we also cater for lots of visitors to the city who are extremely grateful for the service which allows them to enjoy what we have on offer.
"We're proud of the service we provide and we simply want more people to know about us and how we can help them," added Cllr Wilcox.
Booking is not necessary for visitors on the open days - just turn up between 9am and 4.45pm.
The open day is part of a national awareness event organised by the National Federation of Shopmobility which brings together a network of around 350 Shopmobility schemes.
It is estimated that nationally 1.5 million people benefit from Shopmobility schemes on about 3.5 million trips when they spend around £260 million boosting local economies.
