‘People have been really waiting for this for a long time’ - Nairn Beach Wheelchairs project start is one step closer
A charity has reached another milestone in setting up a new initiative enabling anyone with mobility impairments to enjoy Nairn Beach.
After just over a year of fundraising and work to make the project a reality, the Nairn Beach Wheelchairs team was delighted to be granted planning permission for a container next to Nairn’s Leisure Centre earlier this month.
Chair of the charity, Amelia Williamson, said they were overwhelmed by the support received over the past months and that they hope to start welcoming users in November.
She said: “We were very delighted and relieved to get the planning permission, because it had taken quite a long time to be approved.
“We now have four wheelchairs that cover a variety of mobility needs, ages and sizes, and we have ordered the container, which is coming in October.
“In anticipation of this moment, we have already done quite a lot of the background work –we’ve got our volunteers and policies in place, we have bought cushions and blankets, and we have been up to Dornoch - where a trailblazing beach wheelchair initiative has been running for several years - and applied as much as what they do as possible.”
After raising more than £30,000, the plan is to open doors in November.
She said “When we have the container and once we are happy with that site, then we’ll start to do a reduced provision over the winter, with the idea of increasing the number of hours towards the spring. In winter is a lot darker and colder and the possibilities of getting out on the beach are reduced.
“It’s quite helpful in a way, because you have the possibility to iron out any niggles so that when we do a full opening in spring, we’ll have the full operation running smoothly.”
She said they had the “most incredible support” from the start.
“ I have never seen anything like this,” she said. “We had people we didn’t know turning up with a cheque saying they did a coffee morning for us, or donations from as far as the USA.
“Many also came to us with their stories, about their parents or loved ones - so many people are so excited about.
“We then had quite a long period waiting for the outcome of the planning application. It wasn’t really until we unpacked and assembled the chairs that we started feeling exciting again.”
The excitement was also palpable among the public who could see and try for the first time the accessibility wheelchairs at the Wheels of Nairn event last weekend.
“The response was great. You can see how many people have been waiting a long time for this,” said Amelia.
The charity now has seven members on the organising team as well as 10-15 volunteers to help run the service when it’s open.
“For us, it was also very important to be in partnership with HighLife Highland, which means we will be able to use the accessible facilities at the Leisure Centre.
“We also want people to know that this is not just for any specific disability. People who need to use a wheelchair or mobility aid because they have a broken ankle, for instance, or needs some support on the dunes because of a vision impairment - we they are also welcome to use the wheelchairs.
“We are really excited to be this close - of course if anyone would like to join us as volunteers, they would be more than welcome!”
Nairn and Cawdor councillor Barbara Jarvie said: “This is great news for the beach wheelchairs team!
“What a fabulous, well-planned resource, that will make such a difference to such a wide age group. It will restore the ability to cruise our wonderful beaches for so many and brighten up so many lives. I hope our local care facilities add it to their activity calendars also.
“I urge anyone with even just a little time to space to volunteer to keep this service operational as a great community asset of joyous accessibility. The so near, yet so far beach, really isn’t so far out-with reach any more, much gratitude to the team.”
