A service that helps Paisley shoppers access wheelchairs and scooters to get around town has been given some welcome support.
Shopmobility Paisley & District submitted a request for new wheelchairs and were delighted that Abicare Health Solutions Limited agreed to pay for them.
Abicare chose to support Shopmobility’s request as this is a priority area for their commercial business to support and are looking to develop a long-term partnership with the Paisley charity.
Kenny MacLaren, chairperson of Shopmobility, said: “As far as I am aware, we are the only ones that have been successful so far. We were looking for new wheelchairs and the supplier, Abicare, saw it and said that they would like to help and they ended up paying for two new wheelchairs for us.
“We have seen a lot more people take wheelchairs now and it has come at a really good time for us getting a couple of extra wheelchairs - we were running out of them.
"People were having to book early to make sure that they could get a wheelchair.”
The Community Benefits Gateway (CBG) is a free to use online service that connects NHS Scotland suppliers with third sector community organisations within Scotland.
In collaboration with Public Health Scotland, the CBG helps improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of local areas and assists in the reduction of health inequalities across Scotland.
CBGs purpose is to establish a positive relationship between appropriate suppliers and third sector community organisations through the fulfilment of community needs.
Shopmobility office manager Karen Miller, based in the Paisley Centre's multi-storey car park in Storie Street, said: “This is a great way for charities to benefit from NHS Scotland suppliers.
“We are really grateful for the support we have received from Abicare Health Solutions Ltd and are looking forward to working with them in the future.”
To book a mobility scooter or wheelchair when shopping in the Paisley area, visit the Shopmobility website at https://shopmobilitypaisley.net/