The South West's Beauty Spots Now Open To All - Trampers A charity is enabling people to adventure and explore outdoors, regardless of how far they can walk, through the use of a 'Tramper'.
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Nevil explores the paths at Penrose. It has enabled him and others to get out and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
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any of us enjoy exploring the grounds of the South West’s beautiful country houses, park areas or coastal path. We are blessed with a wide range of places to visit, where we can experience the changes in seasons, colours and sounds of nature and the peace and quiet that this can bring.
Easy to manoeuvre, the Trampers are stable over a range of terrain and the simple, quick training makes them safe and easy to use. With the ability to go virtually anywhere, Trampers ensure independence and freedom, enabling users to adventure alone or as part of a family day out.
Frequently such walks lead to a tea or coffee shop, with views that can continue to be enjoyed over refreshments. Yet for many, this is where their outing begins and ends, due to being unable to walk even a small distance.
It is a scheme which is proving extremely popular with people of all ages who want to get out and enjoy the countryside, but previously were unable.
The Countryside Mobility scheme, run by Devon charity Living Options Devon, is ensuring that the South West is a truly ‘accessible’ environment for everyone by improving access to the countryside for people with limited mobility.
For Nevil Salisbury-Rood, from Chard in Somerset, the Tramper has been life-changing. He said: “I really enjoy wildlife photography and I visited the Penrose Estate in Helston, Cornwall and used the Tramper because I can’t walk very far. It allowed me to get around part of the lake and out onto the South West Coast Path which is something I would never be able to do normally because of my bad leg. The coastal views are fantastic and I shot some great photos”.
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“Trampers are for everyone who wants to enjoy the countryside but can’t manage much walking. You do not have to be registered as a disabled person, or have a Blue Badge."
The scheme is proving to be extremely popular
Based on the principle of urban Shopmobility schemes, ‘Tramper’ all-terrain mobility scooters are now available at more than 30 countryside locations across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset with more to follow, making them increasingly simple and straightforward to gain access to.
EAST DEVON
The Trampers can go up and down slopes, over bumps and tree roots, through shallow puddles, mud and soft ground and are for use by anyone aged 14 or over who has a permanent or temporary condition that affects their ability to walk. With a top speed of four miles an hour they can keep pace with the briskest walking companion. James Maben from Countryside Mobility explains:
Coast & Country
Pamper your feet at The Foot Friendly Clinic, 3 Miltons Yard Axminster EX13 5FE. Phone for an appointment on 01297 625515 or 07946213310. Open Tues/Wed/Thurs and for evening appointments by arrangement. Chiropractic Chiropractic Health Centre 01297 35844 or 01404 549270. Hypnotherapy Pat Hoare 01392 410090. Life Coaching Is the treadmill of your life getting faster? You want to slow down, but can't? You want to change your life/ career/reach your full potential? www.goforitlifecoaching.com or contact Averil Quinain 07891 447710 to arrange a free 30 min taster session.
“Trampers are for everyone who wants to enjoy the countryside but can’t manage much walking. You do not have to be registered as a disabled person, or have a Blue Badge. Many people have found that Trampers have given them back their freedom, enabling them to enjoy time outdoors alone, with their partner or on a family outing. “With such a varied selection of sites now involved, people with limited mobility have some fantastic opportunities to get out and explore the region. There is something for everyone - from wild Exmoor moorland to peaceful country parks and beautiful sections of the South West Coast Path." To use the Trampers, people simply choose their site and arrange their first visit. On arrival, they join as members of Countryside Mobility which costs £10.00 per year or £2.50 for 4 weeks. Training is provided on how to use a Tramper lasting approximately 15 minutes. They are then given a membership card, which enables them to use a Tramper at any partner site without the need for further training. continued overleaf...