Need for steed – A volunteer’s story
Mark Bosworth careers towards the camera at full throttle, a manic grin on his face and a gleam in his eye. At the last minute he puts in a sharp left turn and comes to sudden halt displaying the proud profile of his throbbing machine.
But no – it’s not a super-charged 300cc super-bike. It’s an electric scooter, complete with shopping bags and basket. Has Mark taken to stealing mobility carts from the disabled to bring terror to the pavements? No – he’s simply testing the functions of Scooter No. 49, following a recent re-fit, checking for road (or more-likely pavement) worthiness, before handing it out to one of MobilityShop’s grateful clients.
The manageress has been running MobilityShop for eight years. “Does it work?” she asks. “It’s perfect”, Mark says, bounding into the office. “I was practicing pirouettes on the car park.”
Mark has been doing voluntary work with MobilityShop for 2 months. Now 4 months into a year-long license period, he’s pleased to have found a placement where he can useful and support the needs of people in the community.
“It’s great to be working in a team again” he says, “and know what I’m doing is being valued by a lot of people.”
MobilityShop has two outlets – one in HighCross car park level 2, one next to the Haymarket centre and the bus station. The manageress is the only paid employee but along with her small army of volunteers the organization lends out between 20 & 40 scooter and wheelchairs a day to those with physical disabilities or walking difficulties, who find them invaluable for doing their weekly shop.
“I’d be lost without this service,” says Louise Robinson, who comes by twice a week to use Scooter 47 – a green three-wheeler with a vigorous cornering action. “It’s even better when I come in to Mark’s smiling face.”
Mark has plenty of reason to be cheerful – “It’s varied and interesting work,” he says, “and the customer service side is a real buzz for me – getting to know who likes which scooter, when they’ll be by, and making the vehicle ready for them. I get to chat with them about their day-to-day lives, and if it gets quiet (which is rare) there’s always the entertainment of checking repaired vehicles out.” “You mean practicing pirouettes,” the manageress jokes with him.
The pleasure Mark takes in his volunteering is clear to see and is a contrast to his early days out on license. “After the first few days of enjoying my freedom, I started getting fed up in the day, when everyone else was at work. Evenings are fine – I have a bar job and see friends. But in the day I knew I had a choice – sit on my arse, make trouble or make a contribution.”
The manageress was pleased to give Mark the chance to pick the latter. She interviewed him (including a discussion of his offense, attitude to it and receipt of a disclosure letter), gave him a few days trial and found him reliable and trustworthy. She’s always on the lookout for more helpful hands like his.
Mark found out about MobilityShop through Voluntary Action Leicester, whose folders list hundreds of such opportunities to make a difference and whose staff can direct the willing and eager to organizations suiting their interest.
Mark would “highly recommend” seeing what the voluntary path has to offer. “You can get busy and useful quickly, and meet new and friendly people.” He’s also looking forward to the social evening next week, where volunteers will be thanked and rewarded for their work. “Tonight dinner and drinks are complimentary – for all the volunteers and their hard work. They’ve certainly earned it!”
Reporter: Andy Thomas