Introducing Jean - a member who has 'gone boldly' where she hasn't gone before!

We’re delighted to introduce Jean, who first joined Outdoor Mobility back in 2022 and has since visited a whole host of our partner locations.

Jean comes from a very active background, having undertaken a variety of outdoor pursuits including orienteering and cycling and even completing the Great North Swim.

Unfortunately, Jean’s life changed very suddenly when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Her second surgery caused her to become disabled and a stroke in 2017 further robbed Jean of her balance. Jean purchased her own mobility scooter to get back into the outdoors but found that it simply wasn’t up to the challenging terrain on many routes. She then came across the Trampers and decided to give them a try. In Jean’s words, the Trampers, ‘really, truly, are all terrain’ and have allowed her to ‘go boldly where she hasn’t gone before’ – visiting places she wouldn’t have otherwise considered. Jean has found the Trampers to be so ‘life enhancing’ that she now plans her trips around where they are located.

Jean likes to make use of our reciprocal agreement with Countryside Mobility in the Southwest and one of her most memorable trips was when she visited the Malvern Hills back in 2019. Jean says this trip was her most challenging Tramper route yet, but she was rewarded with the most spectacular panoramic view when she made it to the top. She also holidayed near Barnard Castle last February and enjoyed a trip to Bowlees Visitor Centre. Even on a cold, wet, February day along a muddy track, the trip was so enjoyable, and the Tramper managed the route with ease. Jean particularly loves to visit Sizergh Castle and absolutely loves the climb up to St John’s Church, which gives ‘spectacular’ and extensive views. When she has visitors to stay, Jean always takes them to Sizergh to enjoy this route. In fact, Jean loves to visit Sizergh so much, the staff now recognise her and head straight for the Tramper keys when they see her coming! As a Season Ticket holder for Holker Hall and Gardens, Jean was thrilled to discover a Tramper had been placed there, making for a fantastic trip around the parkland and gardens.

Jean was privileged to be one of the very first people to try the new Tramper at Lowther Castle and Gardens on the launch day last October. She thoroughly enjoyed the guided talk given by one of the park rangers and the free cake on offer was also a highlight! Jean can’t wait to get back to Lowther in the spring. She found staff there to be so friendly and can’t wait to try the Lowther Church route, with a longer trip along the banks of the river Lowther. She also has plans to visit the North York Moors, with Sutton Bank high on her list to visit.

Jean believes the scheme is ‘so well thought out’ and has allowed her to visit places she otherwise wouldn’t be able to go. In Jean’s own words, The Trampers ‘feed her enjoyment of the outdoors’. She would encourage anyone considering the Trampers to give them a try. The cost of a single hire being ‘so modest – less than the price of a cup of coffee.’  She has found staff at all of our partner locations are very helpful, providing clear training, and booking a Tramper via our ‘very user friendly’ website is straightforward. There really isn’t anything that could stop Jean venturing out to new Tramper destinations!

If you’d like to feature in one of our ‘Meet a Member’ profiles, we’d love to hear from you. Email your name and contact details to info@outdoormobility.org and we’ll be in touch!