We’re delighted to award Driving Mobility a Reducing Barriers to Driving Grant totalling £1.5million over three years.
The funding is to expand Driving Mobility’s provision of driver assessments for disabled people throughout Scotland. The work is being carried out through their DriveAbility Scotland local driving assessment centres.
Why are we funding Driving Mobility in Scotland?
Driving Mobility coordinates a network of charity-funded and NHS centres across the UK which provide clinically-led ‘fitness to drive’ assessments, guidance on mobility equipment and accessible travel advice.
In 2021 their DriveAbility Scotland centre opened in Glasgow, with an established fleet of dual controlled cars with various specialist driving adaptations so their clients could be assessed and given recommendations. However funding to keep the service open had become a challenge and there was a risk of closure.
Driving Mobility expansion
This funding will ensure their Scotland services are sustained until 2027 allowing them to plan for:
- an expansion to full time services at their new headquarters in Glasgow,
- developing new centres and outreach services outside the Central Belt,
- purchasing new vehicles and fit with adaptations, including a drive-from-wheelchair option,
- recruiting and training more staff, and
- updating IT systems.
“Absolutely delighted”
Andrew Swain, DriveAbility Scotland Centre Manager, comments: "The team and I are absolutely delighted with the £1.5 million that the Motability Foundation has granted us.
“As the future of our services were in jeopardy, along with the independence of disabled Scottish drivers, we had to reach out to this valued stakeholder. Driving Mobility and the Motability Foundation have always worked closely together to achieve common goals and this latest investment reiterates our strong relationship.
"The funding will deliver significant change in Scotland. Not only will it bring services closer to more communities, but it will also strengthen our proposition in terms of assessment adaptations and vehicles. Ultimately meaning more people are enabled with all the mental health and well-being benefits it provides. Our team has a renewed sense of vigour.”
“Immediate difference to the transport needs of disabled people”
Lisa Jones, our Director of Charitable Operations, said: “We’re delighted to award Driving Mobility with this grant to expand its driving assessment services in Scotland, so that disabled people interested in learning to drive have the tools they need to do so.
“Awarding grants to experienced organisations like Driving Mobility helps us to make an immediate difference to the transport needs of disabled people.”
Learn more
Find out more about our grants to charities and organisations.
