New shopping service for disabled people
A NEW transport service designed to make access to shops easier for disabled people and drive economic growth among local retailers is being launched today by the Ron Short Centre to coincide with this year’s Purple Tuesday.
Known as Shopping UnLtd, the service is available to any local resident unable to shop independently.
Passengers can be picked up from their homes and taken in small groups to shop together at participating retailers.
Each trip is driven by a volunteer driver and accompanied by a trained passenger assistant.
Passengers can book trips weekly or on a rolling basis by calling the Ron Short Centre’s office, with first-time shoppers required to fill in paperwork detailing any medical or special needs.
Ron Short Centre development manager Tim Feak said that the service would demonstrate that people with disabilities were active, contributing members of the economy.
‘For too long, the story has been that disabled individuals are passive recipients of support,' he said. 'Shopping UnLtd is flipping this script.'
Up to eight passengers at a time will initially be able to be transported to and from shops on the bus currently available, but Mr Feak revealed that the centre was commissioning a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle which would be able to carry 11 seated passengers and three wheelchair users.
‘We are three-quarters of the way there with regards to funding,' he said. 'We are seeking to raise a further £12,500 needed for purchase and conversion.'
He also hoped to expand the service from two round trips a week to 10.
‘Our current shopping bus service, which has been going for 15 years now, has seen demand exceed capacity. We can only see demand increasing as the population continues to age.’
The operational costs of the service will be supported through a partnership with local retailers.
Currently, the CI Coop sponsors the fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs in exchange for weekly trips of eight passengers, and Mr Feak said the centre was seeking to expand this partnership with other supermarkets and retailers.
‘The Coop is spending about £100 a month on the operating costs, but in return get an influx of new customers who will each be spending money in their shops,’ he said.
‘It’s a win-win situation that underscores the importance of accessibility to economic health.’
