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Wheelchair loan service helps Bankside OAPs go further

London SE1 website team

Residents of a sheltered housing complex in Bankside can now take advantage of a wheelchair loan service to help them enjoy living in central London.

Wheelchair loan service helps Bankside OAPs go further
Jean Harding (centre) with neighbours and guests at the launch of the Lucy Brown House Wheelchair Loan Service

The scheme was devised by Lucy Brown House resident Jean Harding – herself a wheelchair user – who applied for funding from United St Saviour's Charity to purchase two chairs which are available for use by fellow residents.

Because Lucy Brown House residents live independently, some tenants with reduced mobility had been unable to obtain wheelchairs because they had no-one on hand to push them.

Now, residents who do not require a wheelchair full-time but would enjoy an excursion with friends and family can take advantage of the scheme.

Last week the wheelchairs were unveiled by Sophia Appleby of Blackfriars Settlement and Matthew Allgood of United St Saviour's Charity.

Sophia has provided advice on the safe use of wheelchairs in the street.

Guests at the unveiling ceremony included Cathedrals ward councillor David Noakes and staff from HSBC and City Pharmacy in Borough High Street. Better Bankside – whose corporate social responsibility scheme has supported activities at Lucy Brown House – was also represented.

Many of the people and groups now involved in life at Lucy Brown House have been brought together by Southwark Cathedral's community outreach worker Marion Marples.

• Southwark Council's cabinet recently agreed to reintroduced a daytime warden service at all sheltered housing units in the borough.

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