Looking for grants if possible. — Scope | Disability forum
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Looking for grants if possible.

Natalie29190
Natalie29190 Community member Posts: 24 Listener
Hello,

I am 27 years old and i am a dwarf.

I am on JSA and in receipt of PIP for daily living.

I have recently passed my theory and looking to drive, unfortunately it is not so easy for me.

I require pedal extensions, there is next to no driving schools who have this adaption in their driving car so i cannot learn via an instructor unless they are willing to allow me to put my adaptions in their instructor car and take out each time.

My only other choice is to buy my own car straight away.... even though i have no money and have a dual brake fitted and adaptions installed.... so i can learn to drive in my own car.... unfortunately this costs a lot of money....

I am wondering if there is any grants out there which can help me... i am so desperate to get my own independence and really upsets me that it is bad harder for me.

Please help.

Kind regards,

Natalie Cheesman 

Comments

  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Natalie29190
    Im sorry to hear you are struggling with this, we have a grant searcher here that you could try.
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • Natalie29190
    Natalie29190 Community member Posts: 24 Listener
    Thank you for responding, I have had a look and there isn't anything there that can help me. 

    I am so desperate to learn to drive and be like everyone else but i cannot seem to do that.

    I tried looking into getting a loan and no banks or loan companies are accepting as i am not working.

    Stuck in a hole. :( 
  • Geoark
    Geoark Community member Posts: 1,463 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Natalie29190 I wasn't able to find a grant that might help, however did find a website where you can type in your postcode and find if there are any independent driving instructors near you who have the necessary adaptation you are looking for.

    https://www.disabilitydrivinginstructors.com/find-an-instructor/

    As an individual I stood alone.
    As a member of a group I did things.
    As part of a community I helped to create change!

  • Natalie29190
    Natalie29190 Community member Posts: 24 Listener
    I have checked that site and there is nothing and no one. The nearest one is Essex and that is over 100 miles from me.

    I am thinking of getting a pay day loan because a bank will not help me as im not working but im worried about doing a payday loan as you pay much more back and i rely on benefits to pay it.
  • Geoark
    Geoark Community member Posts: 1,463 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Natalie29190 sorry to hear the site was no good for you.

    Please please do not take out a payday loan. These are intended for short term loans only - being paid of quickly. Otherwise the interest on it will cripple you with debt and affect your ability to get other loans and long term will not benefit you.

    There are other loan options, which may take a little longer to develop. The most obvious one I can think of is using a credit union. Your local one may consider you for a loan straight away, alternative open a savings account and put away each month how much it would cost you to repay the loan you want. This will help you to establish that you can afford the payments and apply 6 - 12 months later, or whatever their rules are. There is nothing stopping you talking to them direct and explain your needs and ask how you can best progress.

    Also check out any local online forums, this will allow you to post locally asking if there are any instructors willing to teach you with extensions, or even write into a local paper - letters section - to ask if anyone knows a local driving instructor.  This may provide better results.

    As an individual I stood alone.
    As a member of a group I did things.
    As part of a community I helped to create change!

  • BenefitsTrainingCo
    BenefitsTrainingCo Community member Posts: 2,621 Pioneering
    Hi Natalie29190,

    As this is not a benefits-related enquiry I cannot help you unfortunately. I don't know whether your Local Authority may be able to point you in the right direction to anywhere locally that could assist you.

    Lee
    The Benefits Training Co:

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