Overview of the Countryside Mobility SW project, run by the excellent Living Options Devon - a user-led organisation based in the south west.

1. Countryside Mobility South West
Introduction
The Countryside Mobility South West scheme (CMSW) is managed and operated by
Living Options Devon (LOD) www.livingoptions.org, a ULO and registered charity that
exists to ensure people with physical and/or sensory disabilities and Deaf people with sign
language can make an active and equal contribution in society.
The scheme currently covers South West England and aims to greatly increase the
opportunities for mobility impaired, elderly and frail people and their families to experience
and enjoy the regions countryside through the provision of specialist mobility equipment.
The mobility equipment is operated by partners to members of the public though a service
user membership system and consists of all-terrain ‘Tramper’ scooters and wheelchair
accessible ‘Wheelyboats’. The equipment currently provides new and improved access at
more than 25 countryside sites and visitor attractions for use on carefully selected paths
and trails and inland waterways.
Since the project started around 600 people have benefited directly from the scheme
using equipment for over 1500 hours. In a recent survey 89% of members reported that
joining the scheme and using mobility equipment had improved or significantly
improved their enjoyment of the countryside. First time user feedback from member’s
shows a 99% satisfaction rate with the membership system and training provided by
partner sites and other common feedback about benefits of the scheme includes:
• Ability to join friends and family on outings
• Ability to explore more of sites and enabled people to visit places they would normally
be unable to visit.
• Improved confidence and wellbeing
• Independence and freedom
Operation of the scheme

2. CMSW has established a partnership1 of public sector organisations and private
businesses who are working together to deliver, develop and promote the scheme across
the region.
Trampers are leased to partner sites for an annual fee which covers all start up work/costs
including; health and safety guidance, a site disability access audit, staff training,
insurance, equipment servicing and maintenance, use of all operational forms and
procedures and ongoing operational support from project staff.
Wheelyboats are provided through a partnership with the Wheelyboat Trust (WBT) and
partner sites with cash match funding raised by the site or the WBT. Once a boat is placed
the host site takes on full responsibility for insurance and operation of the boat to the
public in accordance with the relevant hire boat codes of conduct. All equipment provided
through the project remains the property of LOD.
Partner sites charge for the hire of the equipment or ask for a suggested donation. Income
generated from hire charges is retained by the host site. All equipment is operated through
a membership system which costs £10.00 per year or £2.50 for 4 weeks.
The equipment and partner sites are advertised on the CMSW website which is
maintained by LOD. Additional promotion work is coordinated by LOD including social
media accounts, press releases and attendance at shows.
Supporting and training other ULO’s who wish to establish CM schemes.
LOD has developed a robust but flexible operational model for the scheme that can be
easily rolled out to other areas of the UK. 83% of existing partners reported that they were
satisfied or very satisfied with the operational procedures and membership systems
developed by LOD and 89% were satisfied or very satisfied with the way the overall project
has been managed by LOD.
After proving that the scheme works and that there is demand from service users, LOD are
looking for new partners elsewhere in the UK and can offer the following services to any
ULO’s interested in setting up a similar scheme:
• Presentations to explain how the scheme works, information on potential partners and
what work is required to successful establish a similar scheme.
• Stakeholder and service user consultation to investigate demand and likely uptake in
new areas
• Organisation and facilitation of taster days at a potential local ‘host site’ to engage
service users, potential project partners and other stakeholders.
• Guidance and support in setting up new schemes.
For more information please contact:
1
Devon County Council, South West Lakes Trust, Forestry Commission, Torbay Coast and Countryside
Trust, The Wheelyboat Trust, The National Trust, Beamer Ltd (Tramper manufactures), Bristol City Council,
RSPB, Gloucester County Council, Tamar Valley AONB, Cornwall AONB, Cotswold Way National Trail,
Grand Western Canal Trust, Devon Cycle Hire, Abbotshood Cycle Hire, Royal Horticultural Society, Dame
Hannah Rogers Trust, Batsford Arboretum, Exmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor National Park
Authority, Tamar Valley AONB, North Devon AONB.

3. James Maben
Countryside Mobility Project Manager
Living Options Devon
Isca House
Haven Road
Exeter
EX2 8DS
Tel : 01392 456522
Mobile : 07841 204397
Email : James.maben@livingoptions.org