Scooter service will help less mobile folk in smaller Highland towns and villages
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People with reduced mobility living in rural northern Scotland’s smaller towns and villages are set to benefit from a new service.
A Scottish Government fund aimed at creating jobs and removing barriers to secure employment is behind the initiative that will see City Mobility – an essential mobility business covering the Highlands, Moray and Grampian – employ an outreach mobility adviser.
The new pilot service is funded by the Highland Employment Recruitment Offer (HERO), with joint Highland Council and Scottish Government backing. It will target areas lacking mobility scooter outlets and specialist showrooms.
Elderly and other less-mobile folk, including those who find it difficult to travel to larger centres like Inverness, will be able to benefit from advice and direction from the mobility adviser in those locations.
HERO has been established under the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind and Young Person’s Guarantee funding streams. It helps people of all work ages and with the greatest barriers to employment secure and stay in jobs.
Carol Elliot, City Mobility’s managing director, who also has reduced mobility, said: “Coming from a rural area, I’m aware how hard it is for people to get to Inverness or Aberdeen to have a test drive. We aim to take a smaller version of our mobility showroom for one day only to local areas so people don’t have to travel too far.
“Pop-up shops and events will showcase the benefits of using a mobility scooter. We would welcome contact from businesses such as garden centres and cafés who could rent a space to us.
“Once restrictions are lifted, we will be happy to work with community organisations and sheltered housing complexes.”
City Mobility claims to be the only retailer based in the north to provide mobility equipment through an all inclusive, worry-free Motability lease scheme.
Motability is a national charity that oversees the Motability scheme that leases scooters and powered wheelchairs.
