JAPES (Joëlette and People Experiences) is a social inclusion project that was founded to advance inclusion through participation and we do this using a Joëlette.

It all began in 2016 when we purchased a second-hand, one-wheeled Joëlette to begin our activities. Having now covered hundreds of miles and scaled mountains, and with a much-improved one-wheeled version now in production, we are looking to replace our original much-loved Joëlette.

The Joëlette is a specialist-designed and produced wheelchair which, powered by a small team of volunteer runners and crew, allows differently abled individuals with mobility challenges (e.g. those with paraplegia, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputees etc.) to experience the thrill, atmosphere and camaraderie of being a participant in organised running events and other physical activities.

Since JAPES’ launch at the Great Scottish Run in 2016 we have been very successful in recruiting volunteer runners and Pilots (our name for our 'passengers'). Since then we have completed a number of JAPES runs including: Great Scottish Run (three times), Men’s & Women’s 10K, Stirling Scottish Marathon and a number of other 5 & 10K runs. In the summer of 2017 we took the Joëlette and a young Pilot to the top of Ben Lomond and in 2018 we took another young Pilot to the top of Mount Snowdon in Wales. We have, so far, helped upwards 20 Pilots - many returning for the experience on other runs - to enjoy inclusion through participation, aged from 7 – 60 and with a range of mobility challenges and needs.

We have been the grateful recipients of sponsorship and support from many generous individuals and groups, so much so that in 2018 we were able to purchase, modify and maintain a two-wheeled Joëlette: the so-called ‘New Generation’ model. In addition, we have started funding the replacement kit but have some way to go. The improvements on newer models are substantial:

• The main benefit is accessibility to the seat. Owing to the ‘New Generation’ design, the need for a manual lift of any individual is greatly reduced and, in very many cases, not necessary at all, thus ensuring maximum dignity for our Pilots.

• The suspension and disc-braking systems mean greater comfort for our Pilot on the run or on the trail. (The one-wheeled Joëlette was designed for bumpy off-road use.)

• The ‘New Generation’ wheel bearings are greatly improved and this means the physical demands on runners and crews are reduced.

• Additional side handles to help balance and push/pull.

We have a number of activities planned for this year (2019) including:

Mens 10K (Glasgow & Edinburgh), Great Scottish Run, Kiltwalk (24 miles) and there have been some whispers about Ben Lomond and planning for an attempt on the West Highland Way. Our off-road activities would be greatly enhanced, for volunteers and Pilots alike, with this replacement Joëlette for our Joëlette and People Experiences.

Please have a look at our website www.japes.scot to see a bit more information about what we do and why we do it.

Finally, you can find out more here:

A film made by a young filmmaker of our launch run last October: Launch Film

Part 1 of the BBC coverage of JAPES at that event: BBC1

Part 2 of the BBC JAPES coverage: BBC2

You can read a bit about us here too:

Scottish Running Guide article: http://scottishrunningguide.com/news/japes-make-parkrun-history

Parkrun's Blog about our run: http://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2017/07/07/a-permanent-high-five-for-all/

A film of the Parkrun event: parkrun and also here: parkrun

A short Facebook film of us leading a warm up, Antonine Trail Race in 2018: ATXR FAcebookj

In addition, we are on Facebook as @joelettejapes.

Finally, we do not look for fees or to charge for our experiences - everyone involved does so on a voluntary basis for the love of physical activity, shared experience and inclusion.