A MOBILITY shop in Basingstoke has received a special award, equal to an MBE, for its 25 years of voluntary and valued service in the community.

Shopmobility was proud to announce that it received the prestigious Queen's Award on Thursday, December 1 at its premises on Church Street. 

Ready to collect the award was Shopmobility's longest-serving volunteer Maureen Spencer.

Also present was the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, the Deputy Lieutenant, Hugo Cubitt, the Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Paul Miller and Sandra Miller, along with staff, and volunteers.

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Shopmobility provides a wide range of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and walking aids suitable for all abilities. People can hire equipment from Shopmobility to improve their access to the town centre and facilities.

Tom Gilvear, chair of Shopmobility, said: "This award is for our volunteers and all of the hard work they do.

"We aim to provide help for people who need it, but we are so much more than just a scooter hirer. People can come in here with questions they have concerning disabilities or if they are feeling unsafe or lonely to have a chat and a hot drink. 

"Our customers all have their favourite scooter, so they call up and ask, 'can I have Tuppence', which is the name of one of the scooters and god forbid if someone else has Tuppence on that day!"

Michelle, centre manager for the last four and a half years, said: "Our volunteers and customers are our extended family, they say when you find a job you truly love you will never work a day in your life again and that's me, I'm never going anywhere."

Shopmobility charges a fixed price to hire out a scooter for £5 a day, which people can collect at 9am and return for 4.15pm. However, where possible volunteers can meet customers at their homes or local bus stops and train stations if travelling to their premises isn't accessible. 

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It also supports people who need scooters for longer periods of time, for example, if they go on holiday.

Tom added: "There is a stigma around having a scooter. We encourage people to not be too proud if they need a scooter, we have lots of different options available. It's breaking that barrier that 'I don't need a scooter, I am fit and well' when it doesn't mean you aren't by having a scooter and that's what we aim to do here. People can come here have a chat and have a test ride."