Whipton on Wheels

by Jemima (Whipton Community Builder)

Whipton on Wheels began when a local gentleman told his community builder how difficult it was to get around the area. That simple conversation sparked an idea: to bring together local mobility scooter and wheelchair users who face similar challenges, giving them a space to connect, share experiences and support one another.

When the community builder shared the idea on Facebook, lots of people were keen to get involved and were connected through a WhatsApp group. They held their first meeting at the Isca Centre, which has a welcoming and very accessible café, before heading out around Eastern Fields.

The group has now been meeting regularly every other Thursday morning. Friendships have formed, with members supporting one another through the WhatsApp group, sharing ideas and encouragement at meetings, and building lovely connections. One member was even invited to and attended another member’s wedding.

Members have expressed how much the group means to them:

“This wonderful group has shown me the freedom I can have, learning new ways to get about with like-minded people.”

“It’s been great to get together, visit the café and park, and build friendships with people who are going through similar things and understand what it’s like.”

“I’ve come to realise that the mobility community is a friendly bunch of like-minded people. Creating this small club brings together people who might not otherwise have had the chance to meet and make new friends.”

The group has also discussed plenty of ideas for the future. These include visiting the RAMM together, organising a mobility scooter litter pick and inviting a local DCC councillor to hear directly from the group about the barriers people face when travelling around Whipton.

Members would also like to invite people to try travelling along Whipton’s pavements on a mobility scooter. The experience could help raise awareness of the impact caused by bins left out and cars parked on the kerb. Another idea is to create reviews of local cafés, helping mobility scooter and wheelchair users find accessible places to visit.

Whipton on Wheels continues to welcome new members and is looking ahead with positivity, practical ideas and growing friendships.

The group is open to anyone living locally who uses a mobility scooter or wheelchair and would like to meet others, share experiences and be part of its future.