On Friday 20^th August, Go! Truro Shopmobility successfully held its first ever Shopmobility Awareness Day on Lemon Quay in Truro. Despite the intermittent rain and sometimes gusty winds, members of the public attended the stall to purchase charity gifts and cards to help to raise money for the scheme. Many even attempted the Shopmobility Scooter obstacle course, of which the winning time was recorded at 29.09 seconds.

Emily Dunford, the Go! Truro Shopmobility Co-ordinator, explained, “Despite the weather and the effects of the recession on everyone’s pocket, members of the public still supported us with the purchase of cards and gifts. However raising money was not the main aim of holding the event – and the Shopmobility Scooter Obstacle Course, certainly helped to gather interest and raise the profile of the scheme.”

‘Go! Truro’ Shopmobility scheme is operated by Volunteer Cornwall Transport Department and is based in Moorfield Car Park, Calenick Street, Truro. The scheme has continued to expand in membership and usage since its launch in September 2008 and is supported by Volunteer Cornwall, Totally Truro Business Improvement District and Cornwall Council - in February of this year it received a grant from the Cornwall Community Foundation’s Adult Social Care Grant.

Go! Truro provides mobility equipment for loan to members of the public with temporary or permanent mobility disabilities. There is an initial membership fee of £5.00 which enables members to use the scheme as many times as they like for a year - although donations are gladly accepted. Whilst booking in advance is encouraged, it is possible to arrange equipment loan on the day, subject to availability.

Many Shopmobility schemes in the UK do charge per hire, but by providing the equipment free at the point of use, ‘Go! Truro’ aims to reduce the risk of financial exclusion from the scheme and allow all to access the city and all its amenities.

‘Go! Truro’ has been very successful, allowing members of the public to access Truro and areas of the city which they would not have been able to do so otherwise. The scheme has also helped promote the city as an accessible location.

Due to the popularity of the scheme, Go! Truro Shopmobility is still looking to raise more funding in order to purchase more electric scooters. Increasingly, more people own their own scooter but find it difficult to transport them into the city centre and, as a result, are taking advantage of the ‘Go! Truro’ scheme. Because of this, the scheme will continue to sell the charity gifts and cards from inside the Shopmobility Office at Moorfield Car Park.

Brian Smith, Transport Contracts Manager, said “Volunteer Cornwall is proud to be responsible for the successful scheme, which helps residents and visitors to Truro who have mobility impairments, to access all of the services and facilities in the City, whilst at the same time the equipment remains free at the point of use to all members of Go! Truro.”

For more information about the scheme, or to make a booking, please contact Go! Truro Shopmobility on 01872 241813.