WELCOME TO THE NFSUK WEBSITE ...

The National Federation of Shopmobility UK (NFSUK) is a UK registered Charity. It exists to support and promote its affiliated Schemes to existing and potential customers, and encourage the development of new Schemes. In addition NFSUK will do whatever it can to facilitate public access and offer related guidance and information.

Please scroll down this page for the latest information or click on the buttons on the left for more general information and guidance.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published an on-line survey on behalf of the Accessible Tourism Stakeholders Forum seeking information from disabled people about their tourism experiences. You will for instance be able to say exactly what you expect when you stay overnight in accommodation or take a day trip to an attraction such as an historic house, garden and zoo and give details of any problems you faced. If you have a disability and are interested in taking part in this important work to help businesses to improve tourism services for disabled people the survey can be found at www.online.qfrs.co.uk/dcms. The questionnaire will be analysed electronically so it is important that it is completed on-line but if you cannot use a computer or are unable to enlist the help of a person who can, please call 0121 344 4848 and ask for Ian Clarke who will arrange to send you a copy of the questionnaire in the post.

STOP PRESS!! The NFSUK 2009/2010 Directory of Schemes has been published. For your copy please send a cheque made payable to "NFSUK" for £5.00p (cost inclusive of p+p) to us at PO Box 6641, Christchurch, BH23 9DQ.

WARNING ...
Make sure that you check any Shopmobility Scheme you use is affiliated to NFSUK before you use them. Simply ask them if they are affiliated and if they are to show you their current Certificate of Affiliation. You can always check our Directory of Schemes or contact us if you are in any doubt. That way you will be sure that they meet NFSUK`s national service accreditation and best practice standards. Not all organisations that describe themselves as a "Shopmobility Scheme" are affiliated and a very small minority of commercial mobility companies try to pass themselves off as being affiliated when they are not. If you encounter anything like this please make sure that you let us know about it. You will need to include a detailed summary of the organisation`s name, address and the circumstances of the event you are reporting please. NFSUK thanks you for your help and support in maintaining a high level of service and standards.

Members of the public should click on the “News Items” tab on the left of this screen for other guidance and information NFSUK publishes from time to time. This includes information about
Registration of Mobility Equipment with the DVLA
and
DfT Guidance documents about the Blue Badge Scheme.

Click on the "Lockton" logo above for all your mobility equipment insurance needs

NFSUK is pleased to provide early information about its National Users Passport Scheme. Please look within the "News Items" for more information.

Affiliated Schemes only have access to the information published within their password protected site accessed by clicking on the “Affiliates Only” tab. Affiliated Schemes should check this part of the site regularly to keep up-to-date with the Latest News!

The definitive travel guide to accessible Britain has been published: OpenBritain 2010 is now available. Click on the "News Items" to the left for more details ...

2010 NATIONAL AWARENESS DAYS

Following the success of the National Awareness Days in recent years, NFSUK is co-ordinating those planned for 2010 so that they will take place on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th May 2010. NFSUK will be seeking sponsor support for these prestigious national events. Please contact us if you are interested in helping us with them.

INFORMATION FURTHER DOWN IN THIS SECTION ON:

USING THIS WEBSITE AND THE DIRECTORY OF AFFILIATED SCHEMES;
2010 BEST PRACTICE AND TOM HILLIER AWARDS;
2009 BEST PRACTICE AND TOM HILLIER AWARDS;
NFSUK`s ACCREDITED PARTNERS;
AUTUMN 2009 EDITION OF THE SHOPMO SHUTTLE;
2010 EVENTS.

USING THIS WEBSITE AND THE DIRECTORY OF AFFILIATED SCHEMES

NFSUK`s website includes our online Directory of Shopmobility Schemes in the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland plus a wealth of other information. This supplements our 2009/2010 paper version that is available for purchase from us. NFSUK hopes that you will find it useful as you plan your journeys around those countries. The 2009/2010 edition of our Directory has now been distributed to Affiliated Schemes, Subscribers and Supporters. This Directory has a new style and, continues to with more general information and as the number of Shopmobility Schemes that are affiliated continues increases. Any existing Scheme not affiliated or any organisation thinking of starting a Scheme is welcome to contact us to discuss the process of affiliation. That process will determine whether you meet NFSUK`s Best Practice and Minimum Standard Criteria. These are reviewed and confirmed annually to ensure ongoing compliance. NFSUK wants to expand its service to cover leisure facilities and some European, Americas and Far East destinations. We always welcome feedback about Shopmobility facilities that anyone uses either at home or abroad and might wish to recommend for consideration for affiliation. Please check the "About the Federation" tab for more on NFSUK`s Starter Pack for Schemes wishing to start-up and/or affiliate to NFSUK. The paper version of our 2009/2010 Directory is available from NFSUK for £5.00p (inc p+p). If you would like one the please send a cheque for that amount made payable to "NFSUK" to "NFSUK, PO Box 6641, Christchurch, BH23 9DQ". Quantity orders are welcomed and will attract a discount dependent upon the number of copies ordered. Please email us for further information.

2010 BEST PRACTICE AND TOM HILLIER AWARDS

Nominations for these awards are invited for submission now. Please ask your local Scheme for a nomination form if you want one. The closing date for nominations to be received by NFSUK for both awards will be Friday, 18th June 2010. They will be presented at the NFSUK 2010 Summer Event luncheon on 1st July 2010 at Woking, Surrey..

2009 TOM HILLIER AND ECCLESIASTICAL INSURANCE GROUP BEST PRACTICE AWARDS

NFSUK was pleased to announce at its 2009 Summer National Conference that the 2009 "Tom Hillier Award" for outstanding customer service was awarded to Bracknell Shopmobility. Congratulations to them!

"The Oracle" at Reading , Tamworth and Carlisle Shopmobilities were awarded "Ecclesiastical Insurance Group Award for Best Practice Innovation" Certificates of Commendation in 2009. "The Oracle at "Reading was awarded this in recognition of them establishing a system of data collection that allows them to constantly monitor and improve their services to their customers. Tamworth was awarded this in recognition of them successfully launching new and varied methods of communications options so that their local customers and visitors can more easily contact their Scheme and make bookings in a manner and at a time that suits them. Carlisle was awarded this in recognition of them designing and using a new style of scooter basket that allows their customers to safely carry more shopping than was possible previously. Congratulations to all three Schemes!

NFSUK`s ACCREDITED PARTNERS

NFSUK has developed a range of accredited partner arrangements that enhance our service to our affiliated Schemes and the wider public community. Details of these have been published to Affiliated Schemes and are also available direct from NFSUK. Make sure that you visit regularly to keep up-to-date with what`s happening within the Shopmobility Network, and benefit even more from what`s on offer! You can call our 24 hour answerphone service or email us with your needs for mobility equipment (hire or purchase), accessible accommodation (at home and abroad) or insurance (personal or corporate).

AUTUMN 2009 EDITION OF THE SHOPMO SHUTTLE

The Autumn 2009 edition of the ShopMo Shuttle has been publshed and distributed to Affiliated Schemes. It is available on the Affiliated Schemes` only password protected Website bottom button on left, along with much more information.

2009 / 2010 EVENTS

NFSUK`s 2010 Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 1st July 2010 at Woking in Surrey. Clusters of Schemes have been invited to hold other events during the course of the year. Further details will be published in due course. Please contact NFSUK if you are interested in attending an event close to you or want to offer help or sponsorship.

e: info@shopmobilityuk.org
t: 0845 644 2 446
(24hour answerphone service available (select option 1) please leave your name, telephone number and a short message to help us reply to your call)