Ealing Shopmobility Facing Closure

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Scheme which provides help for disabled has run out of funding

A scheme which has provided a vital lifeline for hundreds of people with mobility problems in Ealing is facing closure.

Shopmobility lends out scooters and wheelchairs free of charge in Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre and offers equipment for loan for longer periods at minimal charges.

It was set up with £180,000 Section 106 funding from the Dickens Yard development which paid for one full time worker who worked alongside volunteers to provide the service, however that money has now run out.

Service users want Ealing Council to try and find other ways of keeping Shopmobility going and have set up a petition urging they look at alternative means.

Lynette Armstrong who set up the campaign said: '' We are a small scheme, and have only been open for 6 years, and during that time have been moved twice, so new users cannot find us easily. Despite that we are increasing usage year on year. If Ealing cannot fund us the Shopping Centre will lose business, but more importantly the community will lose a facility that enriches the lives of many people.''

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: '' Shopmobility is a scheme delivered by Ealing Centre for Independent Living (ECIL) who also employ the person running the programme, not Ealing Council.

“Shopmobility received £180,000 Section 106 funding to support its operation over a four year period while it worked to become self-financing.  The £180,000 was made available in 2013 from the Dickens Yard Section 106 development.  As is always the case with this funding, there was an identified end date and no guarantee of continued funding.  In this case the end date is 31st  July 2017.

“In order to initially receive the funding, Shopmobility delivered a business plan which anticipated the scheme being self-sustaining through growing membership, raising sponsorship and introducing new initiatives.  The £180,000 one-off funding allowed Shopmobility a four year period to achieve this, but more work is still required for the scheme to be self-financing.

“The council recognises the positive contribution  Shopmobility brings to the lives of people with mobility constraints and also the hard work of staff and volunteers  involved in delivering the scheme.  In recognition of this council officers are in dialogue and working with Shopmobility to help identify alternative ways in which support can be provided.”

 

5th June 2017