DriveAbility Scotland

01/08/2025

Big News from DriveAbility Scotland! 🏆 We’re thrilled to share our recent success at the 2025 Driving Mobility Conference & Awards, held in the stunning Royal Leamington Spa!

DriveAbility Scotland proudly received a Highly Commended Award for Outstanding Customer Service - a true reflection of our dedication to putting people first and driving innovation in mobility support!

This recognition shines a spotlight on the incredible work of our education team, especially the dynamic duo Anu Varshney and Kirsty Flint from the Oxford Brookes Education Team.

Anu has championed a tailored education pathway that’s not only supporting staff development but gaining international attention. Meanwhile, Kirsty ensures every module runs smoothly and effectively.

And of course, none of this would be possible without the whole dream team, including DriveAbility Scotland CEO Andrew Swain, Sarah Wright, Gary Jones, Paula George, Kirsty & Anu - your commitment is helping transform lives every single day.

This award is more than a trophy - it’s a testament to our mission to empower individuals through accessible transportation and mobility services! 👏

📲 Want to learn more about how we’re helping people live more independently? Stay connected with us here on Facebook and be part of our journey!

29/07/2025

July marks FOUR fantastic years since DriveAbility Scotland has been in operation... and what a journey it’s been!

Since opening our doors in 2021, we’ve been proud to support individuals and families across Scotland in their quest for safe, independent, and accessible driving.

Here’s what we’ve achieved together so far! ⤵️

✅ Over 1,000 driving & adaptation assessments completed

✅ Expanded from just two days a week in Glasgow to a full-time service!

✅ Doubled our staff team to meet growing demand

✅ Launched outreach clinics in Aberdeen and Inverness, bringing our services closer to YOU!

✅ Grown our vehicle fleet and adaptation options, offering even more choice and flexibility

Whether you're adapting to a medical change, exploring vehicle options through the Motability Scheme, or just need expert advice - our friendly and experienced team is here to help.

📞 Call us on 0141 648 8470

📧 Or email us at info@driveabilityscotland.org.uk

💻 Exciting news - our brand new website is launching soon!

It’ll be faster, more accessible, and packed with useful content to guide you every step of the way. But we want to hear from YOU!

What would you like to see more of?

🔹 Success stories?

🔹 FAQs about driving with a disability?

🔹 Adaptation tips & advice?

🔹 Latest updates in accessible driving?

🔹 Step-by-step guides to our services?

Drop your ideas in the comments or send us a message - your voice helps shape our community.

Thank you to everyone who’s been part of our journey so far. Here’s to the next chapter! 🥂

05/07/2025

🎉 Happy 77th Birthday NHS! 🎉

Today Scotland and the whole UK come together to celebrate 77 incredible years of our NHS, the backbone of our communities and a symbol of dedication and hope. 💙

From the Highlands to the Borders every patient helped, every emergency answered, and every life saved reminds us how lucky we are to have this world leading health service, free for all, when we need it most.

🚑 To the nurses, doctors, therapists, paramedics and every single person who makes the NHS what it is, thank you. You are the quiet heroes, showing up every day with strength and kindness no matter how hard it gets.

At DriveAbility Scotland, we see first hand how vital the NHS is in helping people regain confidence and independence after illness or injury, getting them safely back on the road to living life fully. Your commitment changes lives and we are grateful for everything you do.

🩺 Did you know?
The NHS was the world’s first health system available to all, free at the point of delivery, when it was launched in 1948. Since then it has pioneered countless medical breakthroughs, from the first CT scanner in 1972 to life saving transplants, helping millions live longer, healthier lives.

Today let's celebrate the people who put care before everything else, making the NHS one of the things we’re most proud of in Scotland and across the UK.

Here’s to you, NHS and to many more years of looking after us all. 💙

03/07/2025

We may not control what life throws our way - but we can choose how we respond! 💪
Join us this as we explore simple, powerful ways to build resilience and bounce back stronger from life’s challenges! 💛 💚 🧡

27/06/2025

🚗Thinking about your driving after a medical diagnosis or as you get older?

We’re here to help you feel informed and safe.

At DriveAbility Scotland, a fitness to drive assessment is a friendly and supportive process. It helps you, your family, and your healthcare professionals understand your current driving ability and find solutions if challenges arise.

Here’s what to expect:
✅ Chat about your driving and medical history
✅ Vision and cognitive checks (attention, reaction times, memory)
✅ On-road assessment in a dual-controlled, adapted vehicle with a specialist assessor and occupational therapist.
✅ Clear, friendly feedback with practical advice and next steps

You might:
✔️ Continue driving as normal
✔️ Be advised on vehicle adaptations
✔️ Benefit from refresher lessons
✔️ Explore alternative transport if needed

This is not a driving test, but a supportive assessment to keep you safe and find solutions if needed.
Your independence matters, and so does your safety.

📲 Contact us if you or a family member needs a fitness to drive assessment.

26/06/2025

Join us in congratulating Fiona and Alex whose passion and hard work have made a real difference to DriveAbility Scotland! 💙

From day one, they threw themselves into building our outreach service in Aberdeen, forming strong partnerships with local healthcare professionals, police safety teams, schools, and stroke and spinal services. Their energy, empathy, and initiative helped turn our Aberdeen outreach into a thriving success story.

But they didn’t stop there…

In October of last year, Fiona and Alex took on a new challenge, helping us bring our driving assessments to Inverness. By January 2025, they had found a suitable location, mapped out an assessment route, and built solid local connections laying the foundations for another fantastic outreach service in the Highlands.

All of this while conducting nearly 70 driving assessments in under a year (on just one day per week!) and participating in professional development courses along the way. 💪👏

Fiona and Alex, your commitment to supporting disabled drivers and promoting road safety is inspiring. Thank you for going the extra mile literally and figuratively to help bring independence and confidence to so many.
You are such an important part of the DriveAbility Scotland family, and we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved! 🚘❤️

16/06/2025

💜 Learning Disability Week 2025 is here! 💜

This year, we’re proud to stand alongside people with learning disabilities - celebrating their talents, achievements, and the incredible contributions they make every single day.

At DriveAbility Scotland, our mission is simple: to make driving accessible, inclusive, and empowering for everyone.

We know that learning disabilities don’t define limits - they reveal different strengths, perspectives, and journeys. And we're here to support that journey.

Did you know? 🤔

💜 Over 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.

💜 Many face barriers to independence, including accessing transport and driving.

💜 With the right support and adaptations, safe and confident driving is possible - and life-changing.

This , the theme is all about visibility - ensuring that people with learning disabilities are seen, heard, and valued.

We see you. And we’re cheering you on every step of the way!

From assessments and adapted vehicles to patient, specialist instruction, we offer personalised support to help you get behind the wheel and take control of your independence.

📧 driving@driveabilityscotland.org.uk

📞 0141 648 8470

Mencap

15/06/2025

Happy Father’s Day to the coolest pops on the planet and cheers to the dads - and grandads - who rise to the challenge!

Funny 😂

Attentive 🧐

Togetherness 👪

Hero 🤩

Earner 💷

Reliable 💪

13/06/2025

It’s ! 💙

At DriveAbility Scotland, we’re celebrating the strength, resilience, and health of men across Scotland by doing what we do best - supporting independence, mobility, and confidence!

Why is Men’s Health Week important? 🤔

Because too often, men put off that check-up, avoid the hard conversations, or wait until it's really bad to ask for help.

This week is all about changing that narrative - raising awareness of preventable health issues, encouraging early detection, and promoting proactive care.

Oh, and with Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to show the men in your life some support!

Here’s how you can get involved! ⤵️

🔹 Book a health check-up (don't delay!)

🔹 Share helpful resources with friends & family

🔹 Support men’s health charities

🔹 Host or attend a local health info session

How can we help? At DriveAbility Scotland, we support people across the country with ⤵️

🛞 Driving Assessments tailored to your mobility and health

🦽 Mobility Equipment Advice to help you stay independent

🤝 And most importantly - friendly, non-judgemental support every step of the way.

💬 Real Stories. Real Impact!

Take Robert Bell from Dumfries & Galloway (top of picture). After an injury took him off the road, he wasn’t sure driving would ever be possible again. Living rurally, driving wasn’t just a convenience - it was a lifeline. Referred to us for a driving assessment, Robert was determined to regain his independence.

With a bit of creativity - like blind spot mirrors, a steering ball, and pedal adaptations - and some extra tuition (despite the closest instructor being 70 miles away!), Robert aced his final drive. We proudly recommended he be allowed back on the road - with a setup that’s safe, functional, and tailored to him!

🚙 Then there’s Max, referred to us by Motability, who lives with right-sided hemiplegia. His goal? To learn to drive and unlock more independence. With a twin-flip left-foot accelerator and a 13-way function keypad, Max tackled his adapted vehicle assessment with enthusiasm and left with a new sense of confidence. A big high five to Max - you're on the road to freedom! 🙌

🎯 Whether you're recovering from an injury, living with a health condition, or just looking to get behind the wheel again, we’re here for you! Ready to start your journey? Contact us today to learn more or to book an assessment:

📱 0141 648 8470

📧 info@driveabilityscotland.org.uk

💙 This Men’s Health Week, let’s commit to talking more openly, acting more proactively, and driving towards a healthier future - for ourselves and the men we care about!

12/06/2025

07/06/2025

At DriveAbility Scotland, we're lucky to have an incredible team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping people maintain their independence and confidence behind the wheel. 🚗

✨Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Claire, one of our talented Occupational Therapists whose compassion, expertise, and warm personality make her a true asset to our service.

Claire brings decades of experience to her role, along with a genuine love for supporting others. Her journey into the world of driver and vehicle adaptation assessments is both inspiring and heart warming.
Here’s what Claire has to say about her career and why she loves what she does:

🗣Hi, I’m Claire, and I’m proud to be an Occupational Therapist (OT) with DriveAbility Scotland.

I began my OT journey back in 1998, working with the NHS in Acute Care and later in Elderly Mental Health Services. I also spent time supporting adults with physical disabilities through a Health and Social Care Partnership. But like many of us, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 made me reflect on my career path, and that’s when I found DriveAbility Scotland.

In August 2021, I joined this amazing team after spotting a job ad almost by chance. It was a brand-new service in a completely different clinical field and yes, it came with a steep learning curve! But I can genuinely say it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made.

At DriveAbility Scotland, we work with individuals to assess their fitness to drive and explore vehicle adaptations that can make driving safe and accessible. Helping someone regain their independence behind the wheel is an incredible feeling, and knowing I’ve played a part in that journey makes my job truly meaningful.
What makes it even better? The people I work with. We may be a small team, but we’re friendly, supportive, and always ready to help each other, it feels like a little family.

Outside of work, I love spending time with friends and family, and you’ll often find me at music or comedy gigs when I can grab the chance! 🎶

Claire's story reflects the heart of what we do here at DriveAbility Scotland helping people navigate change, stay mobile, and live full lives with confidence and independence. We’re incredibly proud to have Claire on our team, and we know our clients appreciate her warmth and dedication just as much as we do.

💙 Thank you, Claire, for everything you do.

06/06/2025

🇬🇧 June 6, 1944 - A day that shaped history. Today, we pause to remember the extraordinary bravery of the Allied forces who landed on the beaches of Normandy. Among them, countless British heroes who risked everything to secure the freedoms we enjoy today.

Their legacy lives on in every act of courage, unity, and service.

We will never forget.

🌺 Lest we forget.