Our History
2010 - where it all started
In 2010, following growing demand from users of Community Transport a Shopmobility Management Committee was formed to establish a Shopmobility Scheme in Cookstown Town Centre. A number of meetings were held which included key town centre stakeholders and input from a range of Shopmobility experts. Cookstown Rural Community Transport, Cookstown District Council, Cookstown MS Support Group all come together to set up the service, based in the Burnavon Arts Centre. Funding was received from Department for Regional Development (Now called Department for Infrastructure) and our first staff member was appointed to manage the project, Mark Farquhar.
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2014 - Expanding to another town - Dungannon
Due to increases in demand from members in the Dungannon area, discussions with Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council (Now Mid Ulster District Council) took place and a new scheme was launched in Dungannon in October 2013, and located in Ranfurly House Arts & Visitor Centre. In January 2015 the organisation held an Extraordinary General Meeting and renamed the organisation Shopmobility Mid Ulster with 2 brands; Shopmobility Cookstown and Shopmobility Dungannon
2016 - Name Change
With changes in local council boundaries and the formation of Mid Ulster District Council, the previously names Shopmobility Cookstown became Shopmobility Mid Ulster. This was good timing with the formation of the new Charity Commission for N.I. registration in the new name was completed.
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2019 - Going Rural with Gobility
In 2019, the organisation received funding over a five year period from The National Lottery Community Fund for a new Gobility programme. This broadened the existing service to a wider area and a greater number of users of mobility scooters and wheelchairs, and continue to address the social isolation and exclusion issues which the company deals with. Gobility covers many of the additional demands on the service including long term hire of equipment, delivery and collection of equipment, events, parks and forests.
2022 - expanding in Cookstown
Due to growing demand for equipment and the limit space within the Burnavon arts Centre, our Cookstown scheme relocated to new premises. Now located in the Fairhill Road, Cookstown, funding was sought to make the premises fit for purpose and the unit was opened on 1st December 2022.
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2023 - Balmoral Show
One of the highlights for Shopmobility Mid Ulster was being awarded the contract to provide mobility equipment to Balmoral Show, one of the largest events in Northern Ireland. Working closely with our colleagues in Lisburn, We provided 20 mobility scooters and 20 wheelchairs to allow people attending the huge show which attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.
2024 - New location in Magherafelt
Shopmobility Magherafelt (Previously independent to Shopmobility Mid Ulster) has been one of the longest established schemes in Northern Ireland. When its manager died suddenly in 2023, the scheme closed. Shopmobility Mid Ulster applied to the Department for Infrastructure to re establish a scheme in Magherafelt, it was a fitting legacy to Seamus Davey to ensure the people of the area continue to receive a service he worked so hard to provide.
2026 - New name - Mobility Mid Ulster
As our service has grown over time, our name has evolved to better reflect what we do today. Originally known as Shopmobility Mid Ulster, shopping support was our starting point and remains an important element of our work. However, our service has expanded through close linkages with health and community provision to support people in many aspects of daily life. The name Mobility Mid Ulster now represents this complete service—supporting people to remain independent at home, visit friends and family, manage during illness or recovery, and access equipment for situations such as broken limbs, amputations, cancer, strokes, end‑of‑life care, and many more. The change marks a natural step in our journey and reflects how our equipment is used far beyond shopping alone.
Transport Programme for People With Disabilities
The core funder to Shopmobility Mid Ulster is the Department for Infrastructure through its Transport Programme for People with Disabilities. This funding has been ongoing since 2010 and is crucial to the survival of our vital services.
The aims of the Programme are:
•to target social need by improving accessibility of public transport to people with disabilities who cannot avail of existing conventional services in Northern Ireland •to complement the work of existing service providers involved in programmes designed to promote social inclusion for people with reduced mobility.
Through the programme we jointly aim to:
"build a prosperous society through accessible infrastructure"
Some moments in time..
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Some of our Funders
Some of our Partners
