Helping Wheelchairs Users Get Around

When some members of the Haddenham community became aware that disabled and limited mobility residents were struggling to get around, they were determined to look for ways to assist.

It was apparent that such individuals were struggling to get to medical appointments and social events, and so were becoming isolated in their own homes. Without the appropriate mode of transport, there was little the wider community could do to help them remain socially included.

Haddenham is blessed with many volunteers who help transport less able people (principally the Fish Scheme through which volunteer drivers use their own cars) but these volunteers are unable to transport wheelchair-bound people and some other residents with mobility difficulties.

Retired local GP, Dr Hugh Stradling, personally encountered this problem and set about searching for a solution. Interested potential stakeholders were invited to an inaugural meeting in order to establish the village views on this project. These stakeholders included Bucks C.C., Haddenham Parish Council, Community Impact Bucks, Age Concern, Fish Scheme, Cuddington Transport Scheme, Friends of St Nicholas, Abbeyfield, wheelchair users and interested individuals. A very positive response was received and thus a committee was formed to progress the project.

Aided significantly by Community Impact Bucks, and a major donation of £5,000 from the Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust, the committee purchased a new Volkswagen Caddy (affectionately referred to as 'Carrie') which had been specially adapted to transport wheelchair users with the added benefit of allowing the passenger to sit alongside the driver and engage in natural conversation while travelling.

To see the vehicle in action, view the Youtube video here

Do you feel able to join the team of volunteer drivers?
Would you like to know more?

Then contact Hugh Stradling by email here: hastrad@clara.co.uk