A resident of Richmond Villages tries out the new car seat with one of the senior carers.
Date: May 2008
RESIDENTS GET OUT AND ABOUT
Residents from Richmond Northampton who have limited mobility will now be able to get out and about with ease and comfort, thanks to a new MPV which has been specially designed to aid the easy transfer and carriage of passengers with restricted movement.
The converted Fiat Scudo Panorama can carry three people in wheelchairs, plus three able bodied travellers, and is one of four vehicles purchased by Richmond for use at its retirement villages. It is the first of its kind in the UK to have factory and full European type approval – which means the vehicle's design meets specified performance standards.
The car is fitted with two Turny Carony transfer wheelchair systems which eliminate lifting by a carer and ease transfer to and from the vehicle. Simple hand movements allow a single person to transfer the base of the chair and passenger from the frame of the wheelchair to the car's passenger seat. The compact wheelchair base is then stored in the back of the saloon compartment. The vehicle is also equipped with a lowering and self leveling rear air suspension system, combined with a short, shallow-angled access ramp for easy loading of wheelchair and passengers.
Bridget Penny, village manager of Richmond Northampton, said: “Getting in and out of a car can be difficult for elderly people or those with restricted mobility, so the new MPV is a real asset. Those residents are now able to go on shopping trips and other organised excursions, without fear of transportation limitations. The new car has really helped to enhance their quality of life.”
Richmond Northampton at Grange Park offers a range of retirement homes including one or two bedroom luxury village apartments, serviced apartments and care bedrooms, providing residents with different levels of independence to suit all needs. The properties are built in a New England style and with its meticulously maintained landscaped gardens, the environment offers peace, security and a sense of community to residents, combined with superb facilities which include a restaurant, IT room, library, arts and crafts room, shop and hair and beauty salon.
For further information about Richmond Northampton, visit the Richmond Villages website at www.richmond-villages.com or telephone: 01604 432600.
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Editor’s Note:
The Fiat Scudo Panoramas have been developed by Hill Gruau Special Vehicles, the UK distributors for Groupe Gruau – the largest converter of light commercial vehicles in Europe – and Autochair of Alfreton, a major supplier of specialist equipment.
Issued by: Maria Graham-Martin/Tracey Bretherton
tracey.bretherton@lawsonclarke.co.uk
LawsonClarke PR
Tel: 01285 658844
Fax: 01285 650080
Ref: RV21/2008 www.lawsonclarke.com
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A resident of Richmond Villages tries out the new car seat with one of the senior carers. |
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Wheelchair access made easy with one of the new vehicles at Richmond Villages. |
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A Richmond Villages resident tries out the new car with a senior carer and village driver. |