Gscene News Archive

Residents from sheltered housing schemes in Brighton have come up with a novel way of getting out and about by sharing mobility scooters. Around thirty residents will share two new community scooters for outings.

The scheme is sponsored by Brighton & Hove City Council and local organisations, and will be free to users. The council is also paying for insurance and servicing.

The Federation of Disabled People and Shopmobility are also supporting the operation.

Shopmobility have agreed to the scooters charging up for free in Churchill Square and, in the event of a breakdown, local taxi firm Brighton & Hove City Cabs will drop the scooter and resident back home.

Council leader Mary Mears launched the scooter share at Jubilee Court sheltered housing scheme in Brighton on February 23. She said:
“We’ve worked with local charities to fund the scheme so that it is free to around 30 older people in our sheltered housing. Many of our older and disabled tenants are on low incomes who can’t afford their own transport, so this is a good way of providing independence and accessibility.”