With summer in full swing, we share tips and tricks for safe sunshine driving and details on how
We also hear from Kitty Walker, who tells us how her wheelchair accessible vehicle helped her make community connections and made visiting her favourite places
Plus, Lauren from Access Your Life and disabled model and creator, Jenni, recount their exciting trip to Disneyland Paris with an Allied Mobility Hire, Ford Independence™!
Find all of this, information on our fantastic range of WAVs and much more in the latest packed edition of Access All Areas!
NEWS \\\
DMUK’s Baywatch is Back!
Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) is set to relaunch their Baywatch campaign which aims to tackle disabled parking bay misuse by inviting disabled motorists, or those who travel with a disabled person, to take part in a five-minute survey – My Blue Badge Matters.
The survey will enquire about the number of disabled bays available and any misuse encountered on each visit to the UK's leading supermarkets - Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl - between Monday 21st July until Friday 15th August 2025.
We are proud to support this campaign and encourage you to take part in it. Visit disabledmotoring.org to learn more.
A Call to Make UK Beaches More Accessible
Wheelchair user, Will Behenna, from Wimborne, calls for more to be done to make UK beaches and waters accessible to everyone.
The 53-year-old paddle boarder said, “Being in blue space reduces anxiety and depression and improves emotional wellbeing.”
Having enjoyed the benefits of the water, Will established the Beach Access Project.
"We've got accessible parking and accessible toilet facilities and then it pretty much stops there," he said.
To tackle the issue, Will wants disabled people to share their blue space experiences in an online survey.
Have your say!
beachaccessproject.co.uk/the-survey
Glastonbury Levels the Field for Disabled People
As one of the biggest music festivals in the world, Glastonbury pushes for more inclusivity in the music industry through their accessibility programme, Levelling the Field.
Offering paid career development opportunities
and live festival experience in stage management, artist liaison and event management – Levelling the Field, aims to reflect the true goals needed for levelling up accessibility in the music industry.
Those featured by the
programme included wheelchair user, Karl Flood, a drum and bass DJ, better known as DJ Flood.
The 32-year-old, from Kent, told the BBC being asked to play at the famous Glasto venue, Rum Shack:
“Means a lot. It’s just amazing.”
STEERING GROUP TO EASE ACCESS TO ELECTED OFFICE
A new steering group will play a key role in making access to elected office easier for disabled candidates.
The group will use their lived experience of disability, accessing funding or standing for elected office, to advise on ways to boost opportunity for disabled people seeking to enter elected office.
Members will work with the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, to ensure a fund is established that
is effective in increasing disability representation in future elections.
Sir Stephen Timms MP, said:
“We want to ensure that disabled people have the right support to pursue a rewarding career in elected office.”
WITH LUNAR ™
We recently visited Tierna Branney and mum, Colleen, to learn how the Northern Irish mother and daughter duo are getting on with their brand-new Citroën Berlingo Lunar™ WAV.
Choosing a WAV
Tierna has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and severe epilepsy so when it came to choosing her daughter's new WAV, Colleen tells us, “I was looking for a wheelchair accessible
vehicle that was more suited to Tierna so she could be close behind me just in case I need to do an emergency stop.”
After finding Allied Mobility
through the Motability Scheme, Colleen explains the journey to a new WAV to fit Tierna’s needs was simple.
“It was basically a phone call to start off the process and then our mobility consultant called out with a car.”
Free Home Demonstration
From carefully listening to what Tierna needed, the family's dedicated mobility consultant, Ryan, recommended they have a home demonstration of
Citroën Lunar™.
Speaking about how the demonstration helped her decide it was the WAV for them, Colleen notes, “I decided on Lunar™ after the test drive and knew it was exactly what I needed for Tierna.”
A Light-weight EasyGlide™ Ramp
Having had the vehicle for a few months, Colleen talks us through some of her favourite features.
“It’s a beautiful car, easy access in and out, but the ramp itself, it's featherlight. I've had cars before where the ramps were heavy to lift, this one is just a finger touch and it's so easy.”
She continues, “The car also heats up a lot more, which is more suited towards Tierna because she’s not that good at moving, she needs to be kept warm.”
Life with Lunar™
Discussing the impact the car has had on their lives; Colleen explains that it has been hugely beneficial to both.
“I’m her carer, I drive her every day, so it was really important that the car was suitable for Tierna, but it has had such a big impact on both of our lives.”
It was one phone call over to Allied Mobility and they took it from there.
Allied Mobility’s Role
“It was a phone call, one phone call over to Allied Mobility and they took it from there. It was such an easy process and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough!”
Citroën Lunar™ is available exclusively from Allied Mobility to purchase, hire or lease via the Motability Scheme. You can call one of our mobility advisors or go to our website to find out more.
›
Fund Your WAV
With Access to Work
If you have a disability or health condition and you're working or about to start work, the Access to Work scheme could make a big difference. But many people don’t know it exists or how much it can help.
Having used Access to Work to fund her very own Ford Dream™, the all-new internal transfer WAV (IT) from Allied Mobility, Access to Work support advisor and full-time wheelchair user, Charlie Brown, tells us the facts on the scheme.
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work is a government-funded scheme that provides practical support, including the use of a wheelchair accessible vehicle if you
Guest writer & expert: Charlie Brown
have a physical disability or mental health condition that makes it harder to do your job. You do not have to have a formal medical diagnosis to be eligible for Access to Work support. It’s designed to make work accessible for all. The support you get is based on your needs. It’s not a benefit and it won’t affect any other payments you might receive.
How Much Does It Cover?
Access to Work can cover up to 100% of the costs, especially if you're selfemployed or have just started a new job. If you've been in a role for a while, your employer may need to contribute, but Access to Work still helps with the cost.
Charlie advises: “Either the company you’re working for can upfront the costs and then reclaim from Access to Work, or if you are working for a smaller company or are self-employed, Access to Work can pay the costs outright instead.”
Applying for An Access to Work Grant
You can apply for Access to Work online or via telephone. Alongside basic information about yourself and your workplace, as well as your skills and
responsibilities, you’ll also be asked to explain how your disability affects your work and what support you think you need.
Charlie tells us: “I always reason why a specific wheelchair accessible vehicle would be best for me. So explain why this is the particular vehicle I need and this is why it suits my disability.”
A Magical Trip to Disneyland Paris
with Allied Mobility Hire!
By Lauren Matthewson
Having recently returned from an exciting trip to Disneyland Paris, disabled content creators, Access Your Life, Chronically Jenni and Inkfire tell us about their experience of hiring a WAV with Allied Mobility.
Travel Made Easy
When you live with multiple access needs, travelling isn’t always straightforward - especially with mobility aids, medical supplies and a group of people with varying requirements. That’s why, when we decided to organise a magical trip to Disneyland Paris, hiring a WAV from Allied Mobility made perfect sense.
With five of us, three pieces of bulky mobility equipment and a hefty amount of luggage, travel by train or plane wasn’t an option, mainly because we couldn’t guarantee that our mobility aids would arrive and return safely and our personal cars wouldn’t have been suitable in terms of size.
That’s where Allied Mobility came in. We hired a Ford Tourneo Custom Independence™ and honestly, it was the unsung hero of the trip!
A WAV That Just Worked
Accessibility in this vehicle was a breeze. The sliding doors made getting in and out super easy and the lightweight ramp removed any worries about
lifting equipment. Inside, the car felt spacious and comfortable, which made a big difference on a long drive. There was enough space for everyone to sit comfortably, with plenty of leftover. It’s rare for travel to feel this stress-free as a disabled person with mobility aids.
Throughout the journey, we kept the front and rear air conditioning blasting and there was plenty of Disney karaoke to help the miles pass quickly. We didn’t feel cramped, overheated, or on edge - just full of excitement!
Arrival at Disney
There’s something about arriving together, in one
vehicle, that starts the holiday off on the right foot - no faffing with multiple taxis or worrying if everyone’s luggage made it intact.
We were even able to visit a shop and pharmacy during the trip to stock up on supplies, avoiding the hassle of public transport or finding wheelchair accessible taxis.
Heading Home
Travelling home was just as easy and fueled by Disney spirit, still wearing our Mickey ears, we safely returned to the UK and so ended a wonderful holiday.
The next day, the Allied Mobility team came to pick up the hire WAV and made the return process super easy - even checking the vehicle to ensure we hadn’t left any Disney goodies behind!
Overall, Allied Mobility made this journey a pleasure and we would wholeheartedly recommend hiring one of their WAVs if you’re planning a trip.
Allied Mobility Proudly Sponsor
THE BLUE BADGE ACCESS AWARDS 2025
Allied Mobility were excited to sponsor the Blue Badge Access Awards (BBAA) 2025!
Launched to celebrate and reward people and venues who are getting 'accessibility with style' right, we sat down with the lady behind it all, Fiona Jarvis, to find out more.
This year’s red carpeted event took place at Gaucho Restaurant in London and saw celebrities from the world of gastronomy and entertainment in attendance. Explaining the winning criteria, Fiona tells us, “Each venue is rated
against style, accessibility and facilities with the winners chosen by a panel of judges.”
As the BBAAs get bigger and better every year,
Fiona Jarvis, BBAA founder
Fiona insists one thing remains at the centre of it all:
“I always want the Awards to be about disabled people".
If you’d like to be involved with next year’s BBAAs, Fiona encourages,
“Tell me about venues that you think are exceptional or about people who have done some extraordinary things to make you feel welcome.”
Visit bluebadgestyle.com where you can submit places to review and highlight extraordinary people!
KITTY'S VISTA™
IS MADE FOR COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Nestled amongst the trees, overlooking the breathtaking views of the Firth of Forth, is the Scottish town of Ludin Links.
It's here retired PE teacher, Kitty Walker, beams as she shows us around two of her favourite placesHomelands Trust (Fife's accessible luxury lodges) and its community hub and cafe, the Paxton Centre.
Welcome to Homelands
“I have stayed in the lodges over 25 times. I think I’m one of their best customers!”, Kitty laughs.
Homelands host nine
purpose-built lodges designed to allow disabled people and their carers to have a short break. Each lodge boasts a range of support equipment including ceiling tracking hoists and electric profiling beds.
Diagnosed with secondary
progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) almost 40 years ago, Kitty’s mobility declined, leading her to live with her best friend and carer, Jan.
“We live fairly near Homelands, it’s become a home from home for me, but it suits me because
Find out more about the wheelchair accessible lodges: 8homelands-fife.co.uk
I don’t travel well”, Kitty explains.
Access to the Community
“I go to the Centre three or four times a week”, she smiles.
Offering a range of arts and crafts, wellness classes and a cafe on Mondays and Tuesdays, the Paxton Centre is an accessible place for Kitty to connect with others, try new things and enjoy a good chat.
“The variety of activities on offer is great. There’s always something new to try, but
...I love my WAV! It’s a game changer, especially as you and your carer get older.
most of all, I go for the company. I just love it!”
Life Before Vista
Prior to her WAV, Kitty would wheel down to Homelands and the Centre in her powerchair, but as her mobility reduced, getting there proved a challenge and travelling in a standard car wasn’t much easier, which made Kitty feel a bit stuck.
“I began to find it difficult to self-transfer into the car and Jan wasn't getting any younger, so she also struggled to help me. My world was beginning to
shrink because going out was a lot of work for us both,” Kitty recalls.
Opening the World Up
Beyond transporting Kitty to her favourite places, her WAV has allowed her to maintain her social life and sense of self:
“I love my WAV! It’s a game changer, especially as you and your carer get older. It means you can go out more and enjoy outings knowing that it’s not such hard work, the ramp just comes down and I can wheel right in and away we go!”
TIPS AND TRICKS for Summer Driving
Summer brings sunshine, road trips and the chance to enjoy the great outdoors. To make sure your summer journeys are safe and comfortable, be sure to check out these tips and tricks!
Ensure Your WAV Has Been Serviced
The best way to make sure your WAV is road
ready all year round is by keeping on top of your annual vehicle service which ensures everything is in safe working order.
With HomeStay™ mobile servicing, we bring professional vehicle maintenance right to your doorstep. Ensuring everything from checking your brakes and tyres to changing engine oil and vital lubricants, we run through a full list of checks to ensure your WAV is in top shape-without you having to leave your home.
Essential Pre-Journey Checks
Before any trip, it’s wise to carry out a few pre-journey checks. Make sure your windscreen washer is topped up and your wipers are in working order.
Plan Your Route
Check ahead for wheelchair accessible rest stopsincluding Blue Badge parking spots and accessible toilets or Changing Places facilities.
WAV Staples
Keep your WAV stocked with summer essentials: water bottles, sun cream, sunglasses, fans and a good emergency kit including a power bank, first aid supplies and a torch!
Whether it’s a short day out or a longer adventure, these simple steps will help you stay safe, cool and independent all summer long.
Remember, if you’re a Motability Scheme customer, breakdown cover is included and covered by RAC Motability Assist. Call: 0800 731 1173 Text: 07855 828 282
GETTING TO KNOW
LINDA Meet the Allied Family
Having been at Allied Mobility for an impressive 29 years, Customer Service Administrator, Linda Baggley, has seen it all.
Job Satisfaction
Explaining why she has stayed at Allied Mobility for almost three decades, Linda says:
“I just love it. I love the company I work for, the people I work with, and I enjoy what I do. I get a lot of satisfaction out of getting customers through to the right person or department, keeping them informed and making sure they’re not given the runaround, passed from pillar to post.”
Changes Throughout the Years
Linda reflects on how Allied Mobility has changed over the years, “It’s been amazing to see our WAVs develop throughout the years to the modern and stylish cars that they are today.”
She continues, “Hearing how lifechanging the vehicles can be fills me with great pride.”
Life Outside of Work
When Linda isn’t helping guide customers through to the right department, you can find her visiting her children and grandchildren or attending one of her weekly concerts and tribute nights, with her good friend and colleague, George, who has been in the Allied family even longer!
CRUSHERS CLUB TOURNAMENT WATCH | PLAY | VOLUNTEER
We were courtside recently to enjoy some thrilling action at the Crushers Cup, a wheelchair rugby tournament hosted by Glasgow Wheelchair Rugby.
The Glasgow Crushers were joined by fellow Great Britain Wheelchair Ruby (GBWR) clubs, the Penrith Pumas and Mandeville Maulers, for the two-day competition, which saw players battle it out for glory.
As proud sponsors of GBWR, the sporting organisation
that oversees wheelchair rugby across England, Scotland and Wales, we attended the event, bringing along our sister company, Mobility Solutions, to get a taste of the action.
A Tough Competition
The Crushers, Pumas and Maulers put on a fantastic sporting display with topclass gameplay. There were hard hits, crashes and a few players knocked out of their chairs, but with four dominant wins, it was the Penrith Pumas who secured the title.
Speaking about the sport and the fun of the tournament, Donald Hutton, tournament organiser and player said,
“It’s so much fun! Everyone should experience the pace, the crashes, the big hits and the fun of wheelchair rugby, so find and support your local team!”
Want to Get involved?
Whether to play, volunteer or simply spectate, wheelchair rugby is an action-packed sport with something for everyone!
Horizon™, the UK’s most popular wheelchair accessible vehicle, only available from Allied Mobility, is packed full of stand-out wheelchair accessible features, impressive specification and the comfort and style associated with Peugeot.
Available in small and medium-small to accommodate a variety of wheelchairs and powerchairs, Horizon™ offers fantastic space and maximum accessibility.
Peugeot Rifter
Choose Your Engine
Diesel
circle 1.5 BlueHDi engine
circle Up to 50L fuel capacity
Electric
circle 52 kWh battery
circle Up to 199 miles WLTP*
Looking to go electric?
You can now enjoy all the same accessibility features and interior spec that make Horizon™ so popular in our first fully-electric WAV, eHorizon™
With an impressive 199-mile range* and over 73,000 public charge points throughout the UK, travelling longer distances in eHorizon™ is made possible.
If you’re leasing your first electric wheelchair accessible vehicle on the Motability Scheme you'll be entitled to charging support from Motability.
Peugeot Rifter
†Mobile servicing is available on Ford, Peugeot (with the exception of eHorizon™) and Citroen WAVs.
Charity Focus
DISCOVER
THE JOY OF ACCESSIBLE GARDENING with The Gardening Disabilities Trust
Summer is great for going outside and experiencing the incredible diversity of wildlife in our gardens. It’s also a timely reminder that nature should be accessible to everyone.
For many people, gardening offers peace, purpose and a sense of connection but for those with disabilities, it hasn’t always been easy to access.
That’s changing, thanks to charities like the Gardening with Disabilities Trust (GDT). Built on one simple but powerful belief that everyone should be able to explore the joy of gardening, regardless of ability, this brilliant UK
charity helps people living with physical or mental disabilities continue gardening whether in their own gardens or in community spaces.
By providing small grants for things like raised beds, adapted tools and accessible greenhouses, GDT removes barriers to the many wellbeing benefits gardening brings.
Whether you would like to garden with the aid of Gardening with Disabilities Trust or simply enjoy an accessible walk through the UK’s increasingly inclusive green spaces, from step-free paths to sensory planting and quiet corners, gardens are becoming more welcoming than ever. So get out there and find your zen!
Learning to Drive as a Disabled Driver
A driving licence provides many people with a sense of independence and freedom to travel where they want, when they want.
With AlliedGo™, wheelchair users can drive their own vehicle safely, easily and comfortably thanks to our Internal Transfer, Ford Dream™, and Drive From Wheelchair WAV, Peugeot Inspire™, which come. and Drive From Wheelchair WAVs, which come with personalised driving adaptations.
To help you get on the road, we’ve broken down the steps to getting a driving licence as a disabled driver.
Step 1:
You will have to apply for your provisional licence from the DVLA. This will allow you to legally begin taking driving lessons.
Step 2:
Although not legally necessary, it's good to take your theory test before you begin lessons so that you can feel more confident on the road.
Step 3:
Find a specialist instructor that can adapt your lessons for your disability. Driving Mobility, who is supported by the Department for Transport, is a good place to start your search. Driving advisor, Fiona, explains,
"Lessons can be provided
at our independent driving and mobility centres by approved driving instructors. We can also provide support and advice regarding the DVSA theory test and practical driving tests that require reasonable adjustments.”
Need help paying for driving lessons?
If you are an existing Motability Scheme customer, some grant funding may be available from the Motability Foundation to help with the cost of your driving lessons.
WHY CHRISTINE SWITCHED TO A WAV
Having recently made the switch from a standard car to a wheelchair accessible car due to changing mobility needs; we caught up with Christine Heywood and her husband, Chris, from Bridlington, to find out how they’re getting on with their brandnew Peugeot Horizon™ WAV.
Process of Finding a WAV
After calling us to express their interest in Horizon™, the pair were put in touch with their dedicated mobility consultant, Des. “Des was very helpful,
comprehensive and reassuring. He was first interested in ensuring that our needs were met with the most appropriate vehicle,” Chris shares.
Happy that Horizon™ fit the couple’s needs on paper, Des brought the car to their home.
Benefits of a Home Demonstration
Speaking about the value of a free, no-obligation, home demonstration, Chris tells us, “It was an essential part of the process to ensure that Christine and her wheelchair fit correctly and that she was happy with her travelling position.”
He continues, “All aspects of the vehicle and its fittings were fully explained and demonstrated with time to ask questions.”
Order and Delivery
Chris tells us that ordering the vehicle was “very simple and straight forward.”
Des helped complete all
the necessary paperwork to finalise their order.
And when delivery day came, they were once again walked through the accessibility features to make certain they were confident using their new vehicle.
Horizon’s™ Best Bits
Chris tells us that switching to a WAV has allowed the couple to maintain their ability to get out and about, something that would not have been possible had they continued with a standard car. He tells us,
“We've not lost out in any way by moving to this type of vehicle. All the modern up-to-date features are incorporated into this WAV.”
Indeed, based on the Peugeot Rifter Allure, Horizon™ comes with an impressive specification including a 10" colour touch screen with a 180°colour reversing camera, Mirror Screen®, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto.
...We've not lost out in any way by moving to this type of vehicle.
Thinking of Switching to a WAV?
If you’re also thinking about making the move to a WAV, Chris has some simple advice:
“If you’re thinking of
switching to a WAV, I can’t recommend Allied Mobility highly enough. At every stage of the process, they have put our needs first and have taken every effort to ensure we have our transport needs met.
Peugeot Horizon™ is available exclusively from Allied Mobility to purchase, hire or lease via the Motability Scheme. You can call one of our mobility advisors or go to our website to find out more.
