The ANCA shopping bus provides the opportunity for people with limited mobility to shop for themselves. A minibus picks people up from their homes, takes them to a local supermarket, then home again with their shopping. ANCA volunteers provide assistance both on the bus and in the store. Staff at Tesco also provide assistance, especially for those with impaired vision.
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arriving at Tesco
ANCA introduced the Shopping Bus service three years ago. It was realised that many of our clients had no opportunity to do their own food and household shopping due to their fraility, ill health or disability, having to rely on friends and neighbours to choose items on their behalf.
Able to choose the bargains !
It is hard to imagine not having the opportunity to choose your own shopping - even the most personal items- but many people with limited mobility are in this situation. It is difficult to ask people to shop for you because you don't know what is available if you can't get to the shops. ANCA provides shopping buses to enable people with severely limited mobility to have the chance to choose for themselves.
In cooperation with a local supermarket, ANCA provides transport from door to door, using Dial A Ride's fully accessible minibuses equipped with wheelchair lifts, together with an escort who will make sure that each client is looked after.
Time for a well-earned cup of tea
Benefits
- Clients are able to choose exactly what they want for themselves, including the on-the-spot extra items
- The trip provides opportunity to meet and make friends, enjoy a social event including the in-store coffee shop, avoiding social exclusion
- Clients become less dependent on their relatives and neighbours and more aware of new products
Some comments made about the service include;
Job Done !
How It Works
With the assistance of the Intervention Grant, ANCA has been able to double the service in 2000-2001. Shopping Buses now run on two days per week: Wednesdays and Thursdays. On these mornings, a specially adapted minibus collects ANCA clients (on a varying rota) takes them to a supermarket, then home again with their shopping. Volunteer escorts provise assistance to shoppers in wheelchairs or those who are visually impaired.
A large number of the shopping bus users are unable to go without assistance so this scheme is highly valued. There are vacancies but these are likely to fill quickly. Clients do not necessarily go every week.
The service runs 48 weeks a year. There is never more than 2 weeks between trips so that clients can purchase manageable amounts of shopping.
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Naturally this service is very popular and we do have to keep a "reserve list" but more people get an opportunity to use it. If you would like more details or would like to become a volunteer escort, please contact the ANCA office.