A day in the life: Access the Dales
Debbie North is founder of Access the Dales, a charity that works to make the Yorkshire Dales National Park more accessible to people with disabilities by creating places to borrow mobility scooters. Initially started as a blog in 2011, when an illness meant Debbie was no longer able to walk in the Dales, Access the Dales became a fully-fledged charity in 2022 and now has a network of wheelchair hubs across the Dales
At Access the Dales we are committed to making the countryside more accessible to more people by increasing the number of locations where you can borrow an all-terrain wheelchair in the north of England. Our goal is to make it easier for people with disabilities to get outside, enjoy the healing power of nature, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
No two days at Access the Dales HQ are the same! Back in August 2022 when we gained charity status, never did we think that we would grow so quickly. We had planned to have three wheelchair hubs up and running during that summer, but now, at the end of 2023, we have seven wheelchair hubs and plans to extend into the Forest of Bowland AONB with a further three hubs. It’s a lot of work! But it is worth it. We are so pleased that the people of the Dales have welcomed us with open arms. We have had a fantastic response to the hubs and the feedback from the people who we have been able to help has been so positive. We know that we are making a difference to people’s lives and that is so rewarding. We have a core team of four trustees and one parttime volunteer, but there are always so many other people involved.
From the hub hosts, who welcome guests to their wheelchair hub, to those who support us financially and those who use our hubs, it’s a team effort.
The first step to setting up a wheelchair hub is to identify a suitable location and people who are willing to host the hub. This location should be easily accessible for wheelchairs and should be free of any obstacles that could pose a threat to the safety of those using the facility. Once the location has been secured, an income source must be found to purchase the necessary wheelchairs and other materials.
The next step is to begin the groundwork. This includes carrying out risk assessments, creating and auditing a ‘stile-free’ route, and building a hub information page on the website. Additionally, a handbook must be developed that outlines the rules and regulations of the hub, how to properly use the wheelchairs and all the official stuff we need too.
The whole process takes a lot of time and effort but it’s worth it for those with physical disabilities who need this safety and convenience. With the right location, income source and handbook, the hubs are an invaluable resource for those with disabilities.
We are now expanding our operations into the Forest of Bowland, and as such we need additional trustees and volunteers who are passionate about making the outdoors accessible for all. If you are interested in being involved, please get in touch with us via our website. We look forward to hearing from you!
Access the Dales exists to break down the barriers that prevent people living with disabilities from enjoying the great outdoors and to create a countryside for all Find out more here.
This is a feature from Issue 20 of Charitable Traveller.
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