Whether you live in the Outer Hebrides or are a visitor, one of the most magical and inspiring landscapes of the Outer Hebrides are the magnificent beaches.
But beautiful and inspiring beaches are often not accessible if you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
Neuro Hebrides wanted to help change that and is excited to announce that we have been successful in gaining funding to purchase not one, but two Beach Wheelchairs for the Outer Hebrides.
With thanks to The Outer Hebrides Community Led Local Development fund, Neuro Hebrides can help make beach access possible for those with limited mobility and wheelchair users.
It's fantastic to have the Beach wheelchairs available, it means that there is now Beach Wheelchairs available in Barra, Uist, Harris and Lewis, enabling beaches to still be accessible despite having limited mobility or use a wheelchair. Nicky, a Neuro Hebrides member, recently used the Beach Wheelchair from Tolsta Community Development and said "It's been such a long time since I've been to a beach as my legs are so wobbly so it was wonderful to be able to use the beach wheelchair. Just to be back on the sand, to listen to the waves and feel the sea breeze on my face, was so lovely. I felt like I'd got a little bit of me back from a time when I used to be down the beach everyday. Along with the very kind friends who had volunteered to give me a push, it turned out to be such a special afternoon despite the weather. I was on such a high for a long time afterwards'.
One of the Beach wheelchairs we purchase is for Uist. Neuro Hebrides is working in partnership with TAGSA in Benbecula to enable people across Uist to borrow the Beach wheelchair. You will be able to book a date and time to borrow the BWC with TAGSA, and they will transport it to the Beach you want to access ready for your trip. To book the Beach wheelchair in Uist, contact TAGSA info@tagsa.co.uk 01870 602111.
We also are working in partnership with Galson estate in Ness, Isle of Lewis, where the Beach wheelchair can be booked for trips to Eoropie beach. You will be able to book the Beach Wheelchair through Galson estate, it will be housed at Spors Nis and it can be taken to Eoropie ready for your trip. To book the Beach Wheelchair, contact the Galson Estate office@uogltd.com 01851 850393.
We live in such a special place, and this is an exciting and important step to enable accessibility for all.