This year, Cornwall Mobility, which provides high-quality services and equipment to people in South West England, has achieved an impressive milestone of being a British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) member for 15 years.
The BHTA caught up with Richard Breedon, Retail Manager at Cornwall Mobility, to learn about the charity’s biggest achievements over the last 15 years and why it has decided to stay a member for over a decade.
Cornwall Mobility has been established since 1983, providing high-quality services and equipment to people in the southwest. The charity started from a modest premises in Redruth before moving into a purpose-built facility at Treliske in 1994.
“Since then, we have developed into one of the largest mobility centres in the UK,” Richard said.
“We work with a network of mobility centres across the country to provide the best solutions for driving assessment tuition, healthcare, and adaptations supported in our workshops. We also work with health care professionals in hospital care organisations, general practice, and social services.”
As an independent charity, Cornwall Mobility is completely impartial in its choice of suppliers of services or equipment. It always assesses the needs of its clients first before suggesting a solution to meet their particular circumstances.
The main services that Cornwall Mobility Centre provides include:
Over the past 15 years, Cornwall Mobility had accomplished a lot and certainly has a great deal to be proud of. Below are some of the charity’s most impressive feats from over the years.
Cornwall Mobility provides all-terrain wheelchairs (AKA sand chairs) for the public to use for free on many of the beaches across Cornwall. This has been made possible by the charity partnering with disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, with funding by Cornwall Council, and working with a diverse range of coastal charities and businesses.
Through working with Driving Mobility and the BHTA, Cornwall Mobility got involved in the creation of the PWMS retailer training scheme. This is now run with the support of the Department for Transport throughout England. Cornwall Mobility provides courses throughout the year in Cornwall. An upcoming course is available at the charity’s Exter site on 20September 2024.
Additionally, Cornwall Mobility contributed to several key stages of the European ADAPT project (Assistive Devices for empowering disAbled People with Technologies) with partners from across England and France. This project ran from 2017 to 2022.
The charity has also expanded its offering by opening two satellite premises in Exter and Plymouth. There is an open day at its Exeter site on the 14 August, where anyone is welcome to attend.
More recently, the charity has provided Cornwall Airport’s new fleet of wheelchairs; worked with Coodes Solicitors, which has sponsored its Truro Open Day; worked with Vision Zero and Devon & Cornwall Police while presenting ‘Drive Safer for Longer’ talks in the community (ongoing project); provided a new fleet of wheelchairs to the Steamship Group in Penzance; and worked with Humans Cornwall to provide ‘Personal Care Packs’ and equipment.
When asked about why the charity has stayed a member for 15 years and the value of BHTA membership, Richard responded: “Membership really highlights that our customers have the extra assurance that we will always go far beyond the normal requirements of a business.
“BHTA membership also highlights that we are trustworthy and have our clients’ best interests at heart at all times.
“Adhering to the BHTA Code of Practice, as well as that of our own, fully supports our commitment to client satisfaction and excellent customer service.”
To find out more about how the BHTA can support your business and how to become a BHTA member, visit this page.