Dickie Bird laps it up at test track for older people

Cricketing legend Dickie Bird swapped cricket for motor sport when he put a mobility scooter through its paces at the launch of a new Anchor Trust business in Yorkshire.

A specially-designed test track in Wetherby is being provided by At Home Services, an innovative new service from Anchor for older people. Older people can test a variety of scooters on a figure of eight track, hone their skills on different types of terrain and learn how to manoeuvre around supermarket aisles.

Anchor Trust has 40 years of experience in providing services for older people and plans to roll out At Home Services nationally following pilot schemes in Yorkshire and Berkshire.

Dickie, 75, said: "There is definitely a skill to driving one of these machines and some of them are really quite fast. I am absolutely sure this track will give older people in Yorkshire greater confidence on their mobility scooters and enable them to drive them more safely. Police in Rugby have recently asked people to reduce their speed on these things so the timing couldn’t be better."

At Home Services was set up in recognition of the fact that older people will increasingly demand more control over the care and support they receive. At the same time, the service they demand will have to become more and more sophisticated.

John Belcher, Chief Executive of Anchor Trust, said: "We recognise that the things we like to do throughout our lives are unlikely to alter just because we are getting older, but this can sometimes be difficult as our circumstances change. Having a good quality of life is important no matter how old you are. For some that could mean help with food preparation, for some it means companionship, for some attending a tai chi class.

"Our aim is to meet each of our new customers, listen to what they want and provide them with that service - either directly or through partnership with local businesses."

To find out more about At Home Services call 08000 50 2 100 or visit www.athomeservices.co.uk

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