Using our chairs

Our chairs are for use only at our location and must be taken straight on to the beach at the nearest appropriate ramp to our hut. Once on the sand, please feel free to explore the beaches by walking north towards Chapel St Leonard’s, or south towards Bibby’s Beach bar. However, please be mindful that these chairs can be hard to push, so it is recommended that you do not push them too far, so that you struggle to return them. Please also be mindful of objects on the sand which may puncture the wheels. Our chairs can go to the sea and it is ok to get them wet. Again, please just be aware that pushing them back up from the sea may be difficult. It is totally the responsibility of the hirer of the chair to ensure that it is returned on time and in the same condition that it was let out in.

How it works

Our Beach Hut is not always open. As a volunteer service, it is not possible to have someone there all of the time. Therefore, it’s advisable to book in advance. Please see "How to book" for more information. Collection time for the chairs is usually 11am, unless you have arranged otherwise. Please agree a return time with your volunteer on the day. This should be no later than 4pm. The safety of the chair is the responsibility of the hirer between these times. 

You will also be provided with a contact number, in case of emergency situation requiring return of the chair any earlier than arranged. However, please be advised that it may take some time for our volunteers to return to The Hut. Please make us aware if you think that this may be a problem, as we will always do what we can to ensure everyone can use our chairs. 

Please remember that our volunteers are often on holiday themselves, and plan their days around helping out. So we really appreciate you being on time for your booking and when returning the chair. You can see our location and nearest car parks on our "Where to find us" page. Please allow time to find a parking space, where necessary. Obviously this can be difficult during peak season when it’s busy. Please let our volunteers know if you have any problems on the day. If you are over half an hour late for collecting your chair, our volunteers may not be able wait for you.

Booking deposit

A £10 deposit is required to secure the booking of your chair. This is refunded to you after you have used the chair unless;

• You cancel your booking with less than 24 hours notice (11am the day prior to your booking.)
• You do not come at all on the day of your booking.
• You are more than half an hour late collecting or returning your chair

You will be asked to complete a slip with your bank details after use of the chair, so we can return this deposit to you.

Identification

For our insurance purposes, we must ask you to provide us with proof of identification. We cannot let a chair out without appropriate identification. This ideally will be a photocard driving license as it has both a photograph and your address. However, if you do not have this, then a passport or other photo identification, with accompanying proof of address (acceptable forms are a council tax bill, gas/electric bill or bank account statement.) Please bring this along with you and we will photograph it on the day. It will be deleted on safe return of the chair. We do not keep/store this information anywhere.

Types of chair

We have four different types of chair and a beach walker available. These are displayed on our “Our Chairs” page which gives the specifications of the chairs. If you have any further questions about the chairs please contact us and we will try to help you. However, please be aware that we are not qualified to assess that the chair is appropriate for the person(s) whom wish to use it. This, along with the safety of the user, is totally the responsibility of the person(s) using the chair and/or their carers. We ask you to please familiarise yourself with safe operation, and ask any questions, prior to taking the chair away from the hut.

Transfer to our chairs

Transferring to our chairs is totally the responsibility of the user and/or their carers. Our volunteers are not insured or qualified to assist you to transfer, this includes operating our hoist. If you require the use of our hoist please ensure that you mention this at the time of booking, so that we can make sure to provide you with the full information before your visit.  

Your wheelchair

You may store your own wheelchair/mobility scooter/or other equipment in the Beach Ability Hut, where necessary. However this is at your own risk (our insurance does not cover your chairs, equipment or property.) The hut will be securely locked, if there is no volunteer on duty there.

Your responsibility

The hirer (person whom has given their identification) will be liable for any repairs to, or any cleaning of a chair that is required due to the hirers negligence, misuse of the chair, or where these terms of use have not been followed. You will be invoiced for any such costs and asked to pay the amount within 7 days, so that we can continue to let others make use of the chair as soon as possible.

Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to read this information, we hope to see you soon