east ayrshire council community planning

FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND: KILMARNOCK SHOPMOBILITY (17/07/2008)

Kilmarnock Shopmobility was one of almost 40 services and initiatives to secure funding allocated by East Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership Board at its meeting on 10 June 2008 from the Scottish Government’s new Fairer Scotland Fund, which will provide around £4.6million per year over the next three years to effectively contribute to tackling poverty and deprivation in the local area.

As part of its Fairer Scotland Fund programme, the Community Planning Partnership Board has agreed to fund the expansion of Kilmarnock Shopmobility, which offers a free town centre service for anyone with a mobility problem, by providing a part-time member of staff to allow the service to operate on a Saturday.

Councillor Reid, Chair of the Community Planning Partnership Board, said: “The Community Planning Partnership Board and the Council are pleased to support the expansion of Kilmarnock Shopmobility, which will further enhance the service provided in the area. This is great news for Kilmarnock. The Council is committed to making Kilmarnock a must visit shopping centre for everyone and I am sure that Kilmarnock Shopmobility will continue to provide an excellent service for users of this very popular scheme.

“In another exciting development for Kilmarnock, and the north of the area, I am pleased to announce that the new post will be a joint one with Coalfield Community Transport. The CCT provides affordable and accessible transport for community and voluntary groups living in the south of East Ayrshire and this new post will allow the expansion of this service to the north of the authority.”

The Council, in partnership with East Ayrshire North Communities Federation established Kilmarnock Shopmobility, located at Kilmarnock Bus Station, in July 2006. The free service provides mobility equipment, including manual and powered wheelchairs and powered scooters, to assist vulnerable people, such as older people or people with a disability, to enable easy access to the shopping and leisure facilities, and a full range of services in Kilmarnock Town Centre.

The service has been extended to provide a free holiday loan scheme and has taken delivery of a powered ‘Jumbo Scooter’, which was donated by the Burns Mall.

Over 330 registered users regularly access Shopmobility services and approximately 3,500 bookings have been recorded since the opening of this popular initiative.

For further information, contact Kilmarnock Shopmobility on 01563 541420.