Under-threat Lanarkshire Shopmobility service transfers to new organisation

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The under-threat Shopmobility service in Coatbridge and Motherwell has had a reprieve – but will be shut for five months while a review is carried out to establish its future and finances.

Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is working to “secure funding to continue the service in some form”, following last week’s closure of the scooter and wheelchair hire hubs operated by the Health and Wellness Hub charity in the two town centres.

It will now remain shut until April while VANL officials work to develop a new service by identifying a new provider and funding and to redistribute the existing equipment – with the organisation saying it “recognises the serious impact that withdrawal of this valued and vital service will have on current users”.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Service users were informed last week in a communication from the Health and Wellness Hub, which has operated the mobility assistance scheme for the past three years, of its transfer to VANL – following their earlier announcement that it would close after running at a loss of £5000 per month and being declared “no longer financially viable”.