Real Life Options’ Inverurie Hub Expands Access with New Stairlift Installation

Real Life Options is proud to announce the installation of a new stairlift at its Inverurie Hub, marking a significant step forward in ensuring greater accessibility and inclusion for the people we support and the wider local community.

The stairlift will enable wheelchair users to access the upstairs area of the main Hub for the first time, opening up opportunities for fuller participation in activities, events, and community engagement.

This important development has been made possible through an incredible community fundraising effort by the Inverurie Real Life Options Team and others. Through summer fayres, the Kiltwalk, The Beast race (a challenging 10km obstacle course in Scotland where participants run, climb, crawl, and push through mud, water, and tough terrain as part of a physically demanding event) , and other local fundraising activities, almost £10,000 was raised towards the project, with Real Life Options funding the remaining costs to bring the vision to life.

The new stairlift will have an immediate and lasting impact. Several people currently supported by the service who use wheelchairs have, until now, been unable to fully take part in activities delivered in the main Hub space. The new access provision now means everyone can engage equally in the wide range of opportunities available.

The Hub also works closely with a local school group, supporting young people as they prepare to transition from children’s services into adult services. For wheelchair users within this group, the stairlift now makes it possible to fully access and benefit from the Hub as they begin this important next stage in their lives.

This investment reinforces Real Life Options’ commitment to being an inclusive provider and ensuring that everyone can access the support, spaces, and community opportunities that are available to them.

Darren Moore, Registered Locality Manager at Real Life Options said:

“This is a hugely positive development for Inverurie and the wider community. Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, and this new stairlift ensures that more people can fully engage with the fantastic activities and support available at the Hub. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed through fundraising and community support to help make this happen.”

The Inverurie Hub continues to play a vital role within the local area, and this latest development strengthens its position as an inclusive and welcoming space for all.