Paisley Daily Express

More people can get scoot and aboot

- KENNETH SPEIRS

Two well- known Paisley organisati­ons have joined forces thanks to a shiny new delivery.

Shopmobili­ty Paisley & District and the town’s Walking Tours on Wheels have taken on board five new local partnershi­p-funded silver coloured scooters, and the hope is more people will be encouraged to use them.

Shopmobili­ty provides free hire of scooters for less able people to get about town and beyond, while Walking Tours on Wheels shows people around Paisley’s historic sites.

Les Fernie, of Walking Tours on Wheels, said: “We recently purchased a fleet of mobility scooters which you can hire and we issued our staff and volunteers with newly-branded uniforms.

“We also have wheelchair­s, plus a walker that encourages people with mobility issues to take advantage of our service. Hiring our equipment is free if you hire for the day.

“We only charge a nominal fee if you wish to hire our equipment overnight or for a more lengthy period of time. In fact, lots of people hire equipment long term to support them whilst on holiday.

“Let’s face it, people can have mobility issues at any period in their life for a variety of reasons including disability, injury, health – this list is not exhaustive. Mobility problems can result in social isolation or mental health issues.”

The service aims to give people independen­ce and it is even possible to sit your scooter test and receive a certificat­e after passing.

“We now offer a variety of tours across Renfrewshi­re and if you need, you can hire a scooter for these interestin­g tours which includes walking groups, schools, weavers, ghost, Christmas, architectu­ral, town, in fact anything historical,” Les said.

“We encourage young people and school pupils to volunteer with us to gain practical experience in a workplace environmen­t and also ensure they receive their Saltire Certificat­es for their volunteeri­ng efforts.

“Many pupils from Mary Russell School have volunteere­d with us and their feedback has been excellent.”

Shopmobili­ty Paisley & District is celebratin­g 30 years of business this year and Walking Tours on Wheels is celebratin­g 25 years.

To find out more call Shopmobili­ty on 0141 889 0441.

 ?? ?? Passed! Les Fernie holds up a scooter ‘licence’ with Shopmobili­ty administra­tor Karen Miller
Passed! Les Fernie holds up a scooter ‘licence’ with Shopmobili­ty administra­tor Karen Miller

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