A COMMUNITY service which helps residents maintain their independence in the town centre is now available seven days a week.

Run by local charity shop VINTage UK Barnsley and funded by the council, the Access Barnsley scheme provides mobility scooter and wheelchair hire, enabling people with limited mobility to access the town centre, shop, and socialise with confidence.

The introduction of Sunday opening aims to improve accessibility while also encouraging people to make the most of the town centre at weekends .

For many people, Access Barnsley is more than just a practical service - it is a lifeline.

Christine Jackson, 75, from Elsecar, regularly uses the service to visit the town centre, helping her maintain independence and stay socially connected.

She said: “I can rely on the service.

“The taxi driver drops me off right outside the shop, which makes it much easier for me to get into town.

“If I have any problems, like losing my balance, the staff are always there to help me get into the taxi safely.

“They’re brilliant.

“It gives me that bit of freedom.

“Without Access Barnsley, I’d really struggle.

“If it weren’t for these scooters, I wouldn’t get very far.”

With the move to seven-day opening, organisers hope more residents will take advantage of the service.

A spokesperson for VINTage UK Barnsley added: “Expanding our opening hours to seven days a week is a really important step in making the town centre more accessible for everyone.

“We want people to feel confident, supported, and able to enjoy everything Barnsley has to offer, whatever their mobility needs.”