A Trishaw will soon be spotted on the streets of Wells.

Wells Community Network (WCN) launched the fundraising campaign earlier this year and they have now raised enough money to buy the city's first Trishaw. The order has been placed and the three-wheeled vehicle should arrive in around six weeks.

The Trishaw is essentially a tricycle with an additional seat on the front (so it can carry a driver and a passenger), and it will be used to give people with disabilities, long-term health conditions and mobility issues the chance to get out and about, have a change of scenery, become more active and feel connected with their community post pandemic. 

Younger more able-bodied members of the community will be trained as pilots who ride the trishaw. The rides will be free of charge, although donations will be welcome.

Wells Community Network say they have already built relationships with local care homes and The Lawrence Day Centre for older vulnerable people. But they are keen to involve younger people with physical and other disabilities too.

Dr Jonathan Bench of Wells Health Centre told Wells Community Network: "I'm delighted to support the Wells Community Network's Trishaw project. It brings together so many factors important or health, an increased sense of community, a chance for those isolated to connect with others, to get out into the fresh air and into nature. 

"These are things that we have long known to be important for our well-being but they have been highlighted by the recent experiences of Covid lockdown. I'm also delighted that the Trishaws will be pedal powered encouraging exercise and I hope will be a small step towards more active transport in our historic city."

You can still donate to the fundraising campaign via the GoFundMe page.

If you would like to get involved in the Trishaw project, you can contact Wells Community Network HERE