For disabled people, transport is a crucial part of independent living; for visiting friends, shopping and the freedom to go further afield.
If you do not require your own wheelchair, but would like to borrow a wheelchair for the day or even a period of time, there are services that can help with your requirements.
This leaflet gives you some general information on how to arrange the loan of a wheelchair.
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross loans out equipment on an emergency system for up to six weeks. This service is run free of charge. Just contact your local centre to ask them if the equipment you require is in stock. You can usually collect the equipment immediately.
Local Red Cross centres
Ipswich British Red Cross centre
15 Chevalier Street
Tel: 01473 219261
Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday 9.30am—1pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am—12pm
Woodbridge centre
17 Theatre Street
Tel: 01394 382614
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am—12.30pm
Felixstowe centre
Tel: 01394 285729
National Shopmobility
Shopmobility provides free hand propelled and electric wheelchairs and electric scooters to help people who have limited mobility to shop and use other facilities in the town centre.
Shopmobility centres are located near car parking facilities and therefore easy to access. Services are usually free of charge and some may ask you to register so please take some kind of identification with you. To make sure the wheelchair or scooter you require is available you will need to book in advance.
Please ring your nearest service to ask for more details.
Ipswich Shopmobility
Buttermarket shopping centre, Ipswich
Tel: 01473 222225
Opening hours: Monday—Saturday 9.30am—4.30pm
Colchester Shopmobility (a small charge applies)
Tel: 01206 505256
Opening hours: Monday—Thursday 10.00am—3.45pm