Let's work together to raise funds for the Beach Wheelchair scheme at West Bay....
Please donate to support this fantastic project. The aim is to provide various wheelchairs for differing levels of disability and personal requirements, so that everyone with disabilities and restricted mobility can access the beach.
Bridport Town Council and Dorset Council are leading the project.
Additional funding is being donated by MENCAP and
Parkdean Resorts caravan park have agreed to deal with the daily management of the wheelchairs at West Bay, an extremely generous gesture.
I'm confident the Beach Wheelchair Scheme will be up and running on West Beach, West Bay in spring 2023!!…
I'm very passionate about access for people with disabilities and restricted mobility.
Access for Everyone, Everywhere!
There has been a beach wheelchair scheme in Lyme Regis, successfully run by the Town Council for several years, but no such scheme at West Bay.
There is a ramp leading to West beach but no further facilities to enable access onto the beach for those in wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
I started this project over 18 months ago, the aim was to gather council support to fund all or part of the project, and manage the bookings and hiring of the wheelchairs.
In March 2022 I was able to present the project to Bridport Town Council Environmental and Social wellbeing committee. The project was unanimously supported by the committee.
Phase one was to secure funding for rigid matting on the beach and in August 2022 the funding was obtained by the Town council.
The matting was purchased and within days it was laid by James the harbour master, his colleague Ben and the team. They did a brilliant job, the matting has been a great success and the feedback has been extremely positive.
Phase 2 of the project is to Crowdfund to buy the beach wheelchairs.
The Sandcruiser is beach wheelchair for a range of capabilties and ages for people who can transfer from their wheelchair. It's popular with elderly users.
The second is a platform on balloon wheels for those who need to remain in their wheelchair and are unable to transfer.
The third is the Hippocampe wheelchair, a 3 wheeler on balloon wheels, for those who can transfer from their wheelchair and this is very popular with younger users.
The fourth option is the Mobichair which floats and can be taken into the sea.
It is tethered and can be supervised by a qualified operative by prior arrangement.
Once the wheelchairs have been purchased it is intended the bookings will be managed by Bridport Town Council.
The vision is to provide a new freedom and joy for people with disabilities and with restricted mobility so they can access all of the beach just like everyone else and to be with their family and friends.
Access for Everyone, Everywhere!
Thank you so much for your generosity and support.
Here are the wheelchairs:
The Sandcruiser wheelchair
Beach matting at West Beach West Bay, purchased by Bridport Town Council
The Hippocampe beach wheelchair
Similar in design to the Beach Freedom Platform for wheelchair users who cannot transfer.