Darren is also a passionate advocate for accessibility – and became an ambassador for the Motability Scheme six months ago.
Motability Scheme Ambassadors work to increase awareness, and understanding, of the Scheme including how it works and who it can help. As cars transition from petrol and diesel to electric, the ambassadors will share information about electric vehicles (EVs) and bust myths and misconceptions, as customers follow their individual journeys to electric.
We sat down with Darren to reflect on his highlights from the first six months as a Scheme ambassador:
“Where to start, it’s flown by! I really enjoyed the launch event that was held in London. It was great to meet the other ambassadors – some for the first time and to reconnect with a couple of people I already know from competing at previous Paralympic Games.
“I had the opportunity to take part in a speaker session at The Big Event in Birmingham, where Will Bayley and I were interviewed by Mark Ormrod. We had a lot of fun, and it was amazing to speak to other Scheme customers at the event to hear about how the Scheme has impacted them and changed their lives.
“As someone who is a relatively new customer, it’s lovely hearing from those who have been on the Scheme for a long time.”
How has the Motability Scheme impacted your life?
“Joining the Motability Scheme has been a game changer for me. Before joining the Scheme, I relied heavily on public transport to travel to my various work commitments and training sessions. I don’t have a simple routine, and I’m often here, there and everywhere for work. Having a car and not being tied to train timetables has given me more freedom as well as more time.
“As well as finding a suitable vehicle, when I joined the Scheme I also needed to find myself a driver! The Scheme allows them to be added to my insurance at no extra cost, which is great.
“Having a driver and car to take me there and back saves me a lot of time and makes it easier getting to training and work, especially the training sessions that are early in the morning or late at night. It’s also more comfortable having the car - when it's cold, wet, and miserable, you don't want to be standing waiting at the train station for hours!”
As a Scheme customer, we’d love to hear about your experience using our online account service?
"My experience accessing my online account has been great. The website has clearly been designed by people who understand accessibility, from a visual impairment point of view.
“I use a screen reader, so it’s important that it can let me know which bit of text is a heading, or title, for example.
“Websites have so much information on them, so it’s important that everyone can navigate them quickly to find what they need.”
It would be great to hear your thoughts on the transitions to electric vehicles (EVs). Would you be interested in an EV, and what information would you need to feel comfortable switching?
"I ran the Yorkshire marathon last year. My guide drove me there in an electric vehicle and it was a very smooth journey! To make the switch in the future, it would be important for me to have a charging point at my house. I’m positive about EVs on the whole and think it's good that they're available through the Scheme."
What’s next for you Darren, professionally and as a Scheme customer?
“Over the summer, I’ll be watching the Paralympic games and supporting ParalympicsGB. My fellow Scheme ambassadors Will Bayley (Table Tennis), Amy Conroy, Robyn Love and Laurie Williams (wheelchair basketball) are all competing, so I’ll be cheering them on!
“I’m also looking forward to working with even more organisations up and down the country, which I can now do with ease, comfort and confidence thanks to my Scheme car!”
As Darren continues to inspire others through his athletic achievements and motivational work, being a Scheme customer means he can continue travelling worry-free across the UK in his Motability vehicle.
To learn more about the Motability Scheme Ambassadors and their unique perspectives, visit motability.co.uk/Ambassadors.
