Shopmobility Renfrewshire now have additional mobility scooters and wheelchairs for residents across Paisley and Renfrewshire.
“Occasionally Shopmobility Renfrewshire are gifted second hand mobility scooters and wheelchairs which are examined and repaired by an experienced technician before utilising to improve the lives of people in Renfrewshire who experience mobility challenges and disabilities” said Karen Miller, Office Manager and Funding Officer, Shopmobility Renfrewshire.
They have an existing stock of new and safe manual wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters which they hire for free during the day, and charge a nominal cost of £1 overnight for a wheelchair and £5 for a scooter.
Providing this service helps people in Renfrewshire communities get around to participate in the cultural, economic and social events within their communities. This helps those residents regain their independence and dignity and is a significant boost to their health and wellbeing.
Recently, this charity has experienced a significant number of enquiries and call-outs as a result of problems and breakdowns following people purchasing second hand scooters. Many which have been sold clearly unfit for purpose which appears to be a worrying trend as well as an expensive mistake.
As a charity reliant mainly on grants, it is important that Shopmobility Renfrewshire look for potential funding to develop their enterprising activities. Their service will now include refurbishment and sale of used scooters. They are asking for donations of scooters.
Karen Miller added: “We have been offered second hand scooters in the past but it is important to assess how well they work before selling them onto members of the public. We have been told stories of other establishments simply selling on such scooters without checking on their efficiency or even providing advice on how to safely use what they are selling.
“Any scooter that we receive as a donation is thoroughly checked to see if it is working well and requires any repairs. All the work is carried out by our experienced scooter technician and is guaranteed for set period after sale If anyone has a mobility scooter they are willing to donate to us, we will make sure it is in full working order and sold on to generate income for our charity.
“It’s also important, with many recent Police Scotland news reports of traffic incidents involving mobility scooters, that anyone who buys a scooter is given advice on how to use it safely.”
