Latest News
Rochdale Shopmobility enters a new era
It was the end of an era at Rochdale Shopmobility as long term Manager Michelle Hollindrake retired after completing over 20 years in post.
We presented Michelle with some lovely flowers and a good luck card on her final day at Rochdale Shopmobility.
Michelle has done a great job running the Rochdale Shopmobility Charity, ably assisted by Debbie Radcliffe.
We have recruited Kirsty Mallinson to take the role of Shopmobility Coordinator to hopefully build on the great legacy Michelle has left behind.
Our aim is to drive up the use of the Shopmobility service and help build the awareness of both Shopmobility and the HMR Circle Volunteer Drivers Service.
If you want more information about Rochdale Shopmobility give us a call on 01706 925986 - Rochdale Shopmobility enters a new era (mailchi.mp)
We will be closed on Bank Monday 26th August 2024.
October 2022
Our AGM will take place on Friday 21st October 2022
All members are invited and details have been sent by post.
New Scooters
We have 10 new Mobility Scooters in our fleet!
Great News!!
We received a Grant from the Rochdale Community Respond, Repair and Recover Fund for 3 new scooters and a Grant from The National Lottery Community Fund for a further 7 new Scooters.
Our members are making good use of them to get out and about in the Town Centre.
10th August 2020
Mayor Cllr Billy Sheerin presents cheque to Treasurer Mark Foxley
and 4 New Scooters for Rochdale Borough Shopmobility
Rochdale Shopmobility were delighted to receive a grant from The Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust to replace some of its older Mobility Scooters in April this year. They purchased 4 new scooters in July with the grant from supplier Keep active Mobility Ltd who upon delivery also kindly completed the Scooter annual service free of charge which was an added bonus. A photo opportunity arose to share the good news as Rochdale Mayor Cllr Billy Sheerin was at Rochdale Town Hall presenting a cheque to Rochdale Borough Shopmobility Treasurer Mark Foxley, a donation from The Mayors Charity Fund, was happy to oblige.
21st February 2019
Cheque presentation
Ian and Christine Duckworth, The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale 2017 to 2018 visited Rochdale Borough Shopmobility on Thursday 21st February 2019.
They presented a cheque for £4000 to the Executive Committee, a donation from the Mayors Charity fund.
Rochdale Shopmobility was one of the chosen Charities during their tenure.
Trustees in attendance were Chairperson Cllr Ashley Dearnley, Treasurer Mark Foxley, Jonathan Hindle, Chris Berry and Cllr Wendy Cocks.
Jayne May from Rochdale Town Centre Management Company and Magz Pilling and Alasdair Orr from MIllercare in Heywood who sponsor Rochdale Borough Shopmobility also attended.
Rochdale Borough Shopmobility is a registered Charity and provides equipment and support to people with mobility problems visiting Rochdale Town Centre.
11th September 2018
Rochdale Shopmobility celebrated their 25th anniversary of providing an invaluable service to the town on 10 September.
Special guests including service users and local dignitaries attended a special luncheon at Rochdale Town Hall on Tuesday (11 September), where gifts were awarded to Rita Kerwin and Pauline Holt, Shopmobility’s two respective longest service users of 25 and 24 years.
Speeches were made by Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Mayor Mohammed Zaman and the leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Allen Brett, who thanked everyone for attending, and a raffle was held.
Councillor Dearnley said: “I look forward to many more years of service and I thank Shopmobility for this.”
Mayor Zaman added: “We should all support the ageing population, and it is very important for us to work together.”
Rochdale Shopmobility opened in September 1993, providing members with wheelchairs and scooters so that all can access the town centre’s facilities with ease and enjoyment.
Registering as a charity in June 1995, the organisation charges a membership fee of just £10 per year for use of its facilities for three hours each day.
Shobmobility initially was located in the former bus station prior to its demolition, before moving to a temporary site on Baillie Street.
21st February 2018
The children at St Andrews C of E Primary School have donated £100 to Rochdale Borough Shopmobility.
The money was raised by the children who set up an Enterprise Project for which they made and sold produce and goods.
Chairperson Cllr Ashley Dearnley and Manager Michelle Olinrake Hollinrake visited the school to receive the donation Hollinrake were presented with a cheque and took part in a morning assembly followed by a question and answer session to thank the children for their hard work.
Rochdale Borough Shopmobility which is a registered Charity is in its 25th year of providing equipment and support to people with mobility problems visiting Rochdale Town Centre.
Rochdale Borough Shopmobility's AGM is on WEdnesday 11th October 2017 at 2.00pm in Rochdale Town Hall.
Rochdale Borough Shopmobility receives Large Donation from Mayors Charity
Manager Michelle Hollinrake received a cheque on behalf of Shopmobility for £7000 from former Mayor and Mayoress Councillors Surinder and Cecile Biant.
The Committee members, staff and service users were delighted to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the Mayor’s Charity year and had great fun supporting and taking part in many of the fundraising events over the course of the year.
The Charity which opened in September 1993 has approximately 100 members annually who access the Town Centre facilities using mobility scooters and wheelchairs, receives funding from Charitable Grant providers including Rochdale Borough Council and from fees paid by its members and fundraising activities.
The money is an important contribution and will help to keep Rochdale Shopmobility viable in continuing to provide such an invaluable service to its members.
We are always looking for new members and volunteers so please get in touch with Rochdale Borough Shopmobility by calling 01706 925986 or email info@rochdaleshopmobility.co.uk.
Shopmobility race raises money for Mayor’s charity
A Shopmobility scooter race through Rochdale’s shopping streets earlier today has raised over £100 for the Mayor’s charity appeal.
Adam Clegg and Luke Settle from Rochdale Borough Council took on Jonathan Hindle and Christine Buckley from Rochdale Development Agency during their lunch break this Tuesday. The teams had to search 12 independent local shops for hidden letters and bring them back to the River Street base and spell out ‘Shopmobility’. The Mayor and Mayoress Councillors Surinder and Cecile Biant attended and witnessed a dramatic start when one of the council competitors left the handbrake on his scooter, allowing the RDA to take an early lead. A superior strategy meant Luke was neck-and-neck with Christine on the return to the shop. A few minutes later, in another race changing twist, Christine found she had missed two letters and had to jump back on her scooter to collect them. Shortly after Jonathan returned, meaning it was an anxious wait to see whether Adam or Christine would return first. Five minutes later, Adam appeared carrying all his letters and sealing the win for the council.
Michelle Hollinrake from Shopmobility said
“Thanks to all who took part and especially to the independent retailers who hid letters in their shops. It was a fun and dramatic race and I’m really pleased that we could help raise money for the Mayor’s Charity with this scooter race.”
The independent retailers visited were: Dennis Hope, Drake Street News, One2One Mobile, Greg Cousins, DCM Menswear, The Health Food Centre, Chantilly, Browsers Beds, Russell’s Café, The Flower Studio, Steps Shoes and Aladdin’s Cace.
We've moved!!!
We moved into our new premises on Wednesday 15th July 2015 at 12 River Street adjacent to the Transport Interchange. River Street is accessible from Water Street via Molesworth Street and Drake Street. There is a car park next to our premise
We have had a new logo and colour scheme designed for our signage and promotional material and our fabulous new premises.
Our Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday the 22nd July 2015 at 12.00pm. followed by our official opening ceremony. Cllr Alan Brett opened the Ceremony and the Mayor and Mayoress cut the ribbon. Invited guests and Shopmobility members enjoyed refreshments provided by Crofters Caterers and at 2.00pm a sponsored Scooter Race began. Cllr Billy Sheerin and Cllr Ashley Dearnley won the race which involved collecting cards from 10 independent retailers to spell SHOPMOBILITY, and Janet Darnbrough and our Vice Chairperson Karen Higginbotham were in second place. We would like to thank everyone who took part in our celebrations.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
WE WILL BE OPENING AT OUR NEW PREMISES ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JULY
AT 12 RIVER STREET ADJACENT TO THE BUS STATION
RIVER STREET IS ACCESSIBLE FROM WATER STREET VIA MOLESWORTH STREET AND DRAKE STREET
We have had a new logo and colour scheme designed for our signage and promotional material and our fabulous new premises
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday the 22nd July 2015 at 12.00pm.
This will be followed by the official opening of our new premises attended by the Mayor and Mayoress and invited guests. Refreshments will be served and some of our Rochdale Councillors will be taking part in a sponsored scooter race.
We will also be holding a Raffle to be drawn on the day and any donated prizes will be greatly appreciated.
Tickets are on sale in the office for £1.00
ROCHDALE TOWNSHIP GRANT AWARDED FOR NEW MOBILITY SCOOTER
We have been awarded a RochdaleTownship Grant for a new mobility scooter. We have purchased a 4 wheel Shoprider 888 which replaces an old scooter and this will save money in repair costs. We are delighted to have received the grant and our members have been using the scooter already and would like to thank the members of The Rochdale Township Committee for supporting our Charity.
PENNINE TOWNSHIP GRANT AWARDED FOR NEW MOBILITY SCOOTER
We have been awarded a Pennines Township Grant for a new mobility scooter. We have purchased a 4 wheel Mayfair Freerider which replaces an old scooter and this will save money in repair costs. We are delighted to have received the grant and our members have been using the scooter already and would like to thank the members of The Pennines Township Committee for supporting our Charity.
FEELGOOD FESTIVAL SPONSORED SCOOTER RACE AUGUST 2014
On Saturday 30th August Rochdale Councillors took part in a sponsored scooter race to raise funds and to promote the Shopmobility service in Rochdale Town Centre. Two teams raced to 12 Town Centre businesses, Dennis Hope, Pennine Photography, Stephen Paul Hair & Beauty, Greg Cousins, Alison’s Jewellers, Hairdressing Room & Beauty Lounge, Chantilly, The Feelgood Café, Russell’s Café, The Flower Studio, Steps Shoes and Number Ten, to collect 12 letters spelling Shopmobility, and then raced back to base at 21 Baillie Street. The Councillors experienced the difficulties of negotiating a scooter in the busy Shopping Centres and on the pavements among pedestrians. They also had a great time! We raised £330 towards running costs. Thanks to all who took part and to all who sponsored the race.
The service is available to anyone who has difficulty walking or carrying shopping. It is not dependant upon age or having a permanent disability. Membership is £10 a year and it is £2 to hire a scooter for 3 hrs. If you think our service would help you access the Town Centre please call for a chat and have a free trial.
Photo from left to right - Cllr Billy Sheerin, Cllr Chris Furlong, Shopmobility Vice Chair Karen Higginbotham, Manager Michelle Hollinrake, Scheme Assistant Debbie Ratcliffe, Cllr Janet Darnbrough, Cllr Aasim Rashid, and Cllr Jean Hornby.
BREAK IN SEPTEMBER 2014
Rochdale Shopmobility was broken into over the weekend and a mobility scooter, an electric wheelchair, several scooter keys, 2 cash tins, a collection box containing donations and raffle prizes were stolen.
There was also damage to the property at the rear and the alarm system.
We are sure the culprits will try to sell the equipment which are a Pride Colt 4 wheel red mobility scooter and a purple wheelchair with an electric wheel drive unit at the rear.
The wheelchair is very distinctive.
If anyone sees or is offered these items please contact us.