There are a range of services and equipment available to help maintain your independence in the community. From adaptations to vehicles and mobility scooters to public and community transport there are lots of options available to you.
Equipment can be privately purchased from a wide range of retailers both online and on the high street. If you feel that you need further information or advice, please contact William Merritt Centre for impartial and professional advice and assessment, or call Adult Social Care on 0113 222 4401 to make a referral for assessment with the Leeds Equipment Service.
Outdoor mobility aids
Mobility scooters can be a great way for someone with low mobility improve their independence. Before you consider if a mobility scooter is a possible solution it is important to make sure that you are safe and able to use one, and that you are aware of the laws around use.
Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs: the rules | GOV.UK
You also need to ensure the model that you purchase will meet your needs, and that you consider how you are going to store and charge the scooter, particularly if you are a council tenant.
Mobility scooters can be purchased from most mobility shops or over the internet. For mobility shops in your area you can click on this link then narrow the search by entering your postcode in the box on the left hand side.
View a list of mobility shops on the Leeds Directory
William Merritt Centre
An excellent resource to help you with this process is the William Merritt Centre. They provide free assessments for mobility scooters covering all the safety aspects and helping you identify the correct model for your needs. They do not sell scooters directly, but have a wide range of scooters for you to try in the centre and can provide you with information on where to purchase. Visit their website to find out more and book and assessment:
Scooters | William Merritt Disabled Living Centre
Mobility scooter hire
If you only need access to a mobility scooter temporarily or occasionally, or do not want to buy one yourself for any reason, then there you can hire a scooter for shopping and social trips out. There is a network of shop mobility schemes across the UK that provide hire of mobility equipment such as scooters, wheelchairs and power chairs. Click the following links to find out more:
Listing of Shopmobility schemes across the rest of the UK
You will often find that some visitor attractions and parks have a stock of mobility scooters or wheelchairs they can hire out, either for a small fee or often free of charge. It is worth researching your destination before going and calling to see if they provide this service. For example the following parks in Leeds have scooter hire. Click on the links to find out more:
Motability
The Motability Scheme enables anyone in receipt of a higher rate mobility allowance to use it to lease a car, scooter, powered wheelchair or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. To find out more visit their website.
Tri Walker
Tri Walkers are a three wheeled folding triangular walking frame which can be used inside and outside to aid mobility to aid stability when walking. They come with cycle or push down brakes. When considering a tri walker it is important to make sure that you are able to manipulate the brakes and can navigate kerbs and small level changes.
Rollator
A rollator is a walking frame with four wheels and brakes which are useful for people who need more support than offered by a tri walker. Some rollators come with a basket which can double as a seat, providing somewhere to rest. If considering a rollator it is important to make sure that you are able to manipulate the brakes and can navigate kerbs and small level changes.
Benefits
Provide a very stable base for someone to hold onto when they take a step
They come in a range of sizes including small, medium and large.
They encourage a reciprocal gait pattern, helping to improve or maintain mobility.
Things to consider
The user must be able to lift the walker frame sufficiently to be able to navigate curbs and thresholds.
Its is important to have the frame set to the correct height to provide maximum support.