Love the beach but loathe the fact you can’t get onto the sand? We’re supporting a charity that might have just the answer...
Salty air, gently lapping water and sand stretching out ahead – the beach has a special way of making us feel good. That’s why one local charity is on a mission to make sure everyone can enjoy the benefits.
Beach Access North East provides the free loan of specialist beach wheelchairs and other equipment to help disabled and elderly people to enjoy our fantastic coastline.
The charity has equipment stored at various locations around the region and volunteers on hand to deal with bookings – they’ll occasionally even transport equipment to other areas if there’s a special event you don’t want to miss.
How can you help?
Volunteer - Organisers would love to hear from anyone local who’d be happy to help hand over equipment to users – you’re not required to provide assistance.
They're specifically in need of volunteers at Blyth, South Shields and Hartlepool.
Provide an equipment station - Organisers are keen to expand the reach of the charity so they're helping support local people to set up new equipment stations.
Chair Caroline Corefield said: “People sometimes ask, why aren’t you at my beach? The answer is, we’d love to be! All you really need is somewhere to store a few chairs and a few volunteers to be on call to hand them out when needed. Just get in touch with us and we’ll make it happen!”
How do I book?
Some beaches provide a drop-in service when staffing allows but it’s always best to book in advance by calling 0300 999 4444 or emailing
info@beachaccessnortheast.co.uk
For more information visit www.facebook.com/beachaccessnortheast
Bamburgh beach days are finally here!
Karbon has funded a new Hippocampe wheelchair at Bamburgh – a special three-wheeled chair that allows the user to get low to ground and nice and near to the sand.
“The Hippocampe has been fantastic,” said Kirsty Peacock, a volunteer. “Often people have borrowed it for a few days and they are always so excited to tell us about the adventures they’ve had – many they’d never been able to enjoy before.
“We’ve had lots of emotional families telling us it's the first time they have been able to get onto the beach in Bamburgh with their whole family.”
For more information on the grants available for community projects visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/communitysupport
Over to you
"I would like to say thanks for making my mum's wish of being able to put her feet in the sea one last time come true and for giving me more beautiful memories.”
Joanne Stonebanks
"We were recently invited to a friend’s 40th on the beach. Before Beach Access - we wouldn’t have gone and we would have missed out but because of this amazing charity, we were able to join in with the fun."
Eva Clair Hodgson
Karbon Comment
“I know from personal experience the difference Beach Access North East will make to hundreds of families. My nephew James had cerebral palsy and as a full-time wheelchair user, access to a beach has become impossible. The wheelchair Karbon has funded will mean people no longer have to miss out on a care-free day at the beach.”
Mary Ormston, Community Connector
Where can I find the service?
Beach Access North East currently has equipment and volunteers at all these beaches.
- Bamburgh
- Beadnell
- Low Newton
- Alnwick
- Morpeth
- Hartlepool - Coming soon
- Blyth
- Whitley Bay
- Tynemouth
- Newcastle
- South Shields
- Sunderland - Coming soon
Love the beach but loathe the fact you can’t get onto the sand? We’re supporting a charity that might have just the answer...
Salty air, gently lapping water and sand stretching out ahead – the beach has a special way of making us feel good. That’s why one local charity is on a mission to make sure everyone can enjoy the benefits.
Beach Access North East provides the free loan of specialist beach wheelchairs and other equipment to help disabled and elderly people to enjoy our fantastic coastline.
The charity has equipment stored at various locations around the region and volunteers on hand to deal with bookings – they’ll occasionally even transport equipment to other areas if there’s a special event you don’t want to miss.
How can you help?
Volunteer - Organisers would love to hear from anyone local who’d be happy to help hand over equipment to users – you’re not required to provide assistance.
They're specifically in need of volunteers at Blyth, South Shields and Hartlepool.
Provide an equipment station - Organisers are keen to expand the reach of the charity so they're helping support local people to set up new equipment stations.
Chair Caroline Corefield said: “People sometimes ask, why aren’t you at my beach? The answer is, we’d love to be! All you really need is somewhere to store a few chairs and a few volunteers to be on call to hand them out when needed. Just get in touch with us and we’ll make it happen!”
How do I book?
Some beaches provide a drop-in service when staffing allows but it’s always best to book in advance by calling 0300 999 4444 or emailing
info@beachaccessnortheast.co.uk
For more information visit www.facebook.com/beachaccessnortheast
Bamburgh beach days are finally here!
Karbon has funded a new Hippocampe wheelchair at Bamburgh – a special three-wheeled chair that allows the user to get low to ground and nice and near to the sand.
“The Hippocampe has been fantastic,” said Kirsty Peacock, a volunteer. “Often people have borrowed it for a few days and they are always so excited to tell us about the adventures they’ve had – many they’d never been able to enjoy before.
“We’ve had lots of emotional families telling us it's the first time they have been able to get onto the beach in Bamburgh with their whole family.”
For more information on the grants available for community projects visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/communitysupport
Over to you
"I would like to say thanks for making my mum's wish of being able to put her feet in the sea one last time come true and for giving me more beautiful memories.”
Joanne Stonebanks
"We were recently invited to a friend’s 40th on the beach. Before Beach Access - we wouldn’t have gone and we would have missed out but because of this amazing charity, we were able to join in with the fun."
Eva Clair Hodgson
Karbon Comment
“I know from personal experience the difference Beach Access North East will make to hundreds of families. My nephew James had cerebral palsy and as a full-time wheelchair user, access to a beach has become impossible. The wheelchair Karbon has funded will mean people no longer have to miss out on a care-free day at the beach.”
Mary Ormston, Community Connector
Where can I find the service?
Beach Access North East currently has equipment and volunteers at all these beaches.
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