We have extended our Bespoke Passenger Solutions grant programme until 2029, which will continue to support hundreds of Motability Scheme customers in the UK.
More than £15 million pounds in total has been granted to disabled people and their families since the programme started in 2022.
The grant is for disabled people who need a larger, wheelchair accessible vehicles with additional facilities, such as cleaning facilities and hoisting.
Bespoke Passenger Solutions (BPS) funding has been extended until March 2029, continuing to support disabled people with mobility and care needs to access specialist wheelchair accessible vehicles and the facilities they need to travel.
BPS provides funding towards large and very large wheelchair accessible vehicles where additional facilities are needed beyond access in and out of a wheelchair.
The grant helps cover the Advance Payment for a suitable vehicle, including the cost of the vehicle and adaptations.
Vehicles can be adapted to include specialist facilities such as personal hoisting, changing space, privacy and storage, enabling people to travel safely while supporting their mobility and personal care needs.
The difference made since launch
Since the grant programme started in 2022, more than £15 million has been awarded through 475 grants to Motability Scheme customers.
There are currently 400 BPS vehicles, supporting people and families across the UK. BPS beneficiaries often have overlapping medical, physical, cognitive, communication and sensory needs.
Having a bespoke vehicle can make a significant difference to everyday life, helping them to travel more frequently and reliably and take part in the activities that matter to them.
Evaluation shows positive impact
The continuation of BPS funding follows a positive evaluation of the programme's impact. The evaluation found that BPS vehicles can support improvements in social connections, wellbeing, choice and control, and access to healthcare and other activities.
Comparing experiences before and after receiving BPS support, respondents reported a 56% improvement in social connections, a 50% improvement in wellbeing, and a 23% positive difference in getting to health appointments.
The impact can also be felt by the people providing care. 83% of carers reported improved life satisfaction following BPS support, with 79% describing the change as significant or life-changing.
Before receiving BPS support, many beneficiaries faced limited space, manual handling difficulties and vehicles that could not safely accommodate medical, mobility or personal care needs.
This could mean that travel involved greater risk, additional effort and increased stress. The evaluation showed that BPS support helped to address many of these barriers.
Grant Programme Manager, Helen Rose said:
"For disabled people with multiple and profound care needs, having the right facilities inside a vehicle can make a significant difference to everyday life. That’s why we’re delighted to be able to continue with our BPS grant programme.
"The evaluation has demonstrated the positive and life changing impact BPS has on both disabled passengers and their carers, making their journeys and personal care easier to manage."
Real-life Impact
Two years ago, 20-year-old Tyler and his family, received a BPS vehicle. Tyler was born with spastic quadriplegic Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and cannot walk or sit unaided. Travelling was distressing for him before they were awarded a grant.
His mum, Teresa, has described the difference the vehicle has made to their family: "We couldn't have afforded to purchase this without the help of this grant.
"Tyler is so much more comfortable now whilst travelling, thanks to the hoist and rock and roll chair. He knows if he needs to have a stretch, we can stop and do so, which we have done on numerous occasions."
Their vehicle is large enough to take all of Tyler's equipment and their two small dogs, allowing Tyler to make trips to museums and Able2b gym for boxing.
"We are all so grateful for this [BPS vehicle] and honestly can't express how much of a difference having this vehicle has made to our family", said Teresa.
Learn more
To read more about the grant visit: Bespoke Passenger Solutions.