Mobilise - Promoting mobility for disabled people

Have you ever fancied visiting the Highlands of Scotland for a long weekend, but don’t want to drive? Then why not go on the Caledonian Sleeper? Mobilise member Mark Davidson recently undertook the journey to Fort William and was able to look at the onboard facilities for both disabled and non-disabled travellers alike.

The Caldedonian sleeper, also known as The Deerstalker is one of only two overnight sleeper trains currently operating in the United Kingdom; the other being the Night Riviera which runs from London Paddington to Penzance. Operated by Scotrail, the overnight journey takes thirteen hours from London Euston. However, with the facility for a good nights sleep, it will leave you feeling bright and refreshed, ready for spending a few days in the small Scottish town of Fort William. Continue reading »

Mobilise member Greg Hayball from Dorset tells Mobilise about his travels through France and Spain in his new Ford Focus Zetec.

Having visited France and Spain on numerous occasions I decided to avoid the chills of the bleak UK winter and head across the continent for a few days on a mini motoring holiday.

I’d recently taken delivery of a new Ford Focus Zetec with sports trim and all the extras I could afford. This was an upgrade from my previous Focus, from my Motability dealer in Weymouth, and the Zetec goes like a rocket. It has good handling, steering and suspension, and the 17.5” alloy wheels hang on to the road as if their lives, and mine, depend upon it. I feel as though I’m almost glued in to the driver’s sports style seat, and the ‘rally style’ automatic, tiptronic gearbox is easy to use.  The car has adaptive headlights; those that follow the direction that you turn the steering wheel, which really do let the driver see round corners. Definitely a great choice! Continue reading »

After Police in Norfolk received complaints from shoppers in Great Yarmouth about scooter users “driving too fast” and “bumping into market stalls” they decided to set up their own scheme to try and reduce the number of accidents. Mobilise was invited to try out this nationally acclaimed Safe Scoot Scheme so we sent Jim Rawlings along to be put through his paces.

The Safe Scoot Scheme was devised by Norfolk Constabulary in partnership with Halfords because they wanted to improve the safety of mobility scooter use. Safe Scoot is a best practice guide to running awareness courses, complete with a short film starring actress Sheila Reid. At mobility scooter awareness courses users are taught basic manoeuvres such as starting off, reversing, negotiating shopping aisles and are made aware of speed limits. Anne Campbell, Norfolk Constabulary spokesperson said “There are around 330,000 users in the UK for whom scooters provide a lifeline to the outside world giving them their freedom and independence. With models ranging from the 4mph class 2 up to the 8mph class 3, these machines can be difficult to manoeuvre and so accidents do happen.” 

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Mobilise Trustee and seasoned skier Helen Robinson hit the red runs in the Italian Alps and found it exhilarating. She shares the thrills of disabled skiing.

In 1992 my husband and I received a surprise letter from the local disabled skiing club inviting us to go skiing in Austria.  We hadn’t even heard of the club and had not conceived of the idea that we would be able to ski.

Although I was interested, John didn’t fancy it.  I therefore informed John that he would staying at his parents’ house for a week while I tried this skiing lark out.  I had a fabulous time and have never looked back. Continue reading »

In the fight against Blue Badge abusers some local authorities are employing Blue Badge fraud investigators. Paul Slowey, a director of the company Blue Badge Fraud Investigation (BBFI)  tells Mobilise about a day in his life on the hunt for abusers in Enfield, London.

09.00 Start work at the Civic Centre along with two other BBFI fraud investigators.

One is the contract manager and assigned to this Borough and the other a case manager who runs prosecutions.

As well as helping with the running of prosecution cases and on street operations  I run the company. I enjoy working with the large number of stakeholders and have ten years experience of running on-street operations with multiple stakeholders. On the contract in this Authority I have an outstanding team of very professional staff including a retired Detective Inspector with 30 years policing experience and an ex-manager from the Home Office who managed Counter Terrorism cases.  I spend the first hour redrafting the protocol on joint working with the Authority and the police. I find the better the processes the smoother the on street operations will be. Once an operation starts and badges are being ceased/vehicles removed and people arrested it can become a little complex and to prosecute things must be watertight. Continue reading »

Mobilise member Spencer Flynn tells Mobilise about his enjoyable trip to New York.

In 2008 my wife and I decided that because we hadn’t had a holiday for at least five  years, we should ‘spoil’ ourselves and repeat part of our 40^th wedding anniversary trip by sailing to New York. Our journey was to cross the Atlantic on the new Queen Mary and then to stay at the Waldorf Astoria for three nights, before flying back to Heathrow. We booked in advance tickets for the Empire State Building including the ‘virtual flight’ over the New York, seats for Mamma Mia and dinner at the Marriott revolving view restaurant in Times Square. Continue reading »

Finding one to fit: Rob Mannion looks back at how his love affair with the Toyota Yaris Verso started and how dismayed he was when the model was discontinued.

I’ve often met people who , after they’ve looked inside and tried sitting inside,  have wondered at my almost Tardis-like Toyota Yaris Verso car. They’re also usually very surprised when I get out of the car and realise I’m six foot four and large with it too!

My continuing love affair with the Yaris Verso started when my work colleague and great friend Alan Burgess who had worked in the motoring trade, suggested that I visit the local Toyota dealer in Corfe Mullen, close to our office on the outskirts of Poole in Dorset. Continue reading »

Three Mobilise members who have learnt to fly, thanks to the Flying Scholarships for the Disabled, tell Jenny McKibben about their experiences.

Ace fighter pilot Sir Douglas Bader inspired the nation when he overcame the loss of both legs following an aviation accident to return to the cockpit. The World War II legend blazed a trail for many with his determination and can-do attitude.

His legacy continues today thanks to the Flying Scholarships for the Disabled (FSD). Established in 1983 in memory of Sir Douglas, the FSD awards flying scholarships to people with disabilities. The aim is to give people the chance to realise their full potential through the thrill and challenge of learning to fly. In confronting the mental and physical challenges of learning to fly, FSD find that many people discover a new found confidence and freedom.

The scholarships vary each year, depending on the number of sponsors the FSD can secure and the suitability of the applicants. So far over 300 scholarships have been awarded. After a rigorous selection process at RAF Cranwell scholars are sent on courses of either 6 weeks in South Africa or one or four weeks at British flying schools  including  the Goodwood School of Flying and Lasham Airfield near Alton, where training is provided by the British Disabled Flying Association (BDSA). Continue reading »

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” So mused Ratty, in Kenneth Grahame’s famous book “The Wind in the Willows”.   Jim Rawlings follows suit and explores different ways of getting waterborne on Britain’s inland waterways.

Harvey’s was founded by Paul Harvey after an industrial accident.  Having lost three fingers and undergoing intense rehabilitation, Paul Harvey was advised to give up carpentry and find himself a desk job.  With sheer determination and passion for his trade, he started his own business which has now grown from a Joinery to incorporate his other passion, boats.  Collin his chief joiner and foreman is deaf, while Tim who does sanding and preparatory work on the boats is registered blind. Continue reading »

When Mobilise member Rob Mannion and his wife Carol made a quick trip to Amsterdam he was nervous about travelling without his adapted car. But, as Rob tells Mobilise, using public transport was surprisingly easy.

I’m a fairly frequent visitor to Holland, but I’m often limited to the Rotterdam area and I usually drive. My normal route is via the Channel Tunnel – usually taking advantage of the off peak travel rates early in the morning – driving up through Belgium into Holland, and trying avoid the peak hour traffic on the Brussels by-pass! Continue reading »