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Ipswich Shopmobility (Buttermarket)

Ipswich Shopmobility provides free hand-propelled and electric wheelchairs and electric scooters to help people who have limited mobility, whether through permanent or temporary disablement, illness, accident or age, to shop and use other facilities in the town centre.

Who to contact

Name: Ipswich Shopmobility
Telephone: 01473 222225
Website: https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility

Additional contact

Name: Heidi Cobb/ Jennifer Barrett
Position: Enterprise Development Support Officer
Telephone: 01473 432228
Email: shopmobility@ipswich.gov.uk
Additional Website: https://www.accessable.co.uk/venues/ipswich-shopmobility

Where to go

Name

Ipswich Shopmobility

Address

Buttermarket Shopping Centre
Lower Ground Floor (Car Park level)
St Stephens Lane
Ipswich
Suffolk

Postcode

IP1 1DT

View IP1 1DT on a map

Area served

Ipswich

Venue Email

shopmobility@ipswich.gov.uk

Venue Website

http://www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility

Parking details

Eleven designated parking spaces are reserved for Shopmobility users in the Buttermarket car park adjacent to the Shopmobility Centre. Shopmobility users who park their vehicles in these designated spaces when using Shopmobility equipment are entitled to two hours free parking.

Transport

Directions Ipswich is in the heart of East Anglia, It is the regional centre for business, shopping, sport and entertainment. The town is easily accessible by Car, Train or by Bus. By Car: The main routes of the A12 and A14 serve the town well offering easy access from all areas of the country, Car Parking is plentiful, with N.C.P, Ipswich Borough Council and other independent Parks. If you are using Satellite Navigation equipment enter the Postcode IP1 1SL. By Train: Main line trains from London Liverpool Street take around 65 minutes, then a ten minute walk to the Centre of the town. By Bus: National Express operate from the Old Cattlemarket Bus Station which is situated a stones throw from the main shopping area, this facility offers good value access whatever your starting point. Ipswich Buses and Eastern Counties operate services throughout the town and surrounding villages as well as two Park and Ride sites at Copdock and Martlesham.

Restrictions to access

On your first visit to the Shopmobility Centre you will be asked for a form of identification showing your name and address, to enable the completion of a simple registration card for insurance purposes. Once you have been issued with a membership card, you will need to present it at each visit in order to obtain equipment.

Notes

AccessAble - access guide for Ipswich Shopmobility

Days & Times

Open from Monday - Saturday 09.15 - 16.15

Other details

Cost Details

Donations only

Age Groups

Adults, Young people

Accessibility

Disabled Parking, Lift, Adapted Toilet

Notes

The Shopmobility service is available from 09.15 to 16.15, Monday to Saturday. The service is not open on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

You do not need to book to use the service but to make sure that the wheelchair or scooter you require is available when you want it, please telephone the Shopmobility Centre on 01473 222225 or call in to ask.

It is advisable to book in the weeks leading up to Christmas to avoid disappointment as the service is extremely popular at this time of year.

Please note: We do not open for late night shopping or Sundays.

A member of the Shopmobility volunteer team will show you and any companions how the wheelchair or scooter works and when you are confident that you can handle it - away you go! At the end of your visit (which is a maximum of 4 hours per visit), you need to return the chair or scooter to the Shopmobility Centre.

All equipment must be returned by 16.00 at the latest. Please note: we only lend equipment on a daily basis and are not able to provide equipment for overnight hire.

Volunteers

Ipswich Shopmobility often needs volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to develop your potential, gain work experience and boost your CV while making a big difference to lives of mobility-impaired people.

There are two different volunteer roles at Ipswich Shopmobility and both are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Admin Role

Duties included in this role are:

Answering the telephone;
Providing information on Shopmobility to new and potential members;
Booking equipment (subject to equipment availability);
Greeting customers;
Recording equipment issued on paper-based system and computer spreadsheet;
Joining new members and issuing membership cards and information;
Informing Shopmobility Co-ordinator of any damage to equipment, accidents, comments or complaints when they arise;
Assisting other volunteers.

Scooter Role

Duties included in this role are:

Moving equipment from store rooms ready for use by customers;
Returning equipment and accessories to store rooms after use and placing equipment on charge;
Removing and returning cones to Ipswich Shopmobility car parking spaces
Assisting customers (if required) to transfer to equipment;
Showing new customers how to use the equipment and ensure they are competent with it;
Attending breakdowns in the town centre with replacement equipment and returning faulty equipment to the Centre;
Assisting other volunteers.

Both roles report directly to the Shopmobility Co-ordinator.

Commitment, reliability, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to help people are the qualities we are looking for. If you can spare a few hours a week on a regular basis we would like to hear from you.

Please contact Heidi or Jennifer on 01473 432228 or via shopmobility@ipswich.gov.uk

Support for people with disabilities

Access Suffolk

Experience of including people with special educational needs and disabilities: AccessAble Guide Available
Conditions Supported: Physical disabilities