Who are "the Friends" ?

The 'Friends of Shopmobility' are a group of people who want to be involved in developing the services offered for the overall good of people who experience limited mobility. Anyone is eligible to become part of the Friends regardless of age, sex or individual circumstances. By creating this group as a separate entity to the city council's Shopmobility service, the individuals themselves can develop what they do, how they do it and to what depth of involvement they wish to participate.

What do we do?

There is a wide choice of activities that the Friends can participate in:

• We support each other.
• We support the Shopmobility service.
• We support the advertisement of the services provided by Shopmobility.
• We advise on the choice of Shopmobility vehicles.
• We advise on the arrangement of Shopmobility accommodation.
• We raise funds for equipment for Shopmobility from sources not available to Shopmobility as a service of Gloucester city council.
• We are available to act as consultants on mobility matters relating to the city centre.
• We organise social events.
• We encourage customers and their carers to take part in activities in the city centre.
• We encourage visitors to the city centre.
• We represent the "Friends" at meetings of other appropriate voluntary organisations.
• We represent the "Friends" at meetings organised by statutory bodies.

As part of our role in encouraging people who use mobility aids to use all the facilities in Gloucester, we maintain an "Obstacle Course" database, listing things in the city that could be improved.

How are we Organised?

The 'Friends Management Committee' meetings are there to co-ordinate the activities and to communicate information.  Not everyone who carries out voluntary work for the Friends of Gloucester Shopmobility goes to meetings, but they can still be regarded as 'Friends'.

How do I Join?

Just contact Shopmobility

Officers

Meetings

The Friends usually meet once a month at:

Wheatstone hall,
City Museum,
Brunswick Road,
Gloucester

Meetings start at 10.30 am. Click here to contact Shopmobility staff to find out more.|