Grants for driving lessons

wishing5

I am my sons carer, he is only a child but can not go on public transport due to his dissability, it's dangerous for himself and to other passengers as he will try to harm himself and other people if anybody he doesn't know comes near him, now i heard of a grant to help me with driving lessons for carers to enable me to to take my son (and 2 other children) out of the house, at the moment we can not go anywhere with him that involves a bus or a train etc. He is on highest rate carers allowance and lowest rate mobility allowance.
Does anybody know if this grant exists and if so would i qualify for it and where i can apply for it?
Thank you

dacouch

Is their a patient organisation for his condition or a similar condition, if so there's a good chance they will know and may even be able to help you apply.

iluvmarmite

Motorbility only provide funds for the disabled for driving lessons, I found this site http://www.carers.org/sites/default/files/carers_aug12_wecare_final_for_web.pdf, if you scroll down a bit on the site it says they can provide funds for carers, might be worth a look

Bumblefeet

One of the mum's at my son's school used this site

http://www.familyfund.org.uk/

That covered her lessons, license. However, Buying the car/insurance etc they wont help with.

sarahg1969

OP, do you have a friend or relative who can teach you, maybe once you've had a few lessons? You'd have pay for learner driver insurance, but that should still be cheaper than paying for lessons.

zoominatorone

wishing5 wrote: »

I am my sons carer, he is only a child but can not go on public transport due to his dissability, it's dangerous for himself and to other passengers as he will try to harm himself and other people if anybody he doesn't know comes near him, now i heard of a grant to help me with driving lessons for carers to enable me to to take my son (and 2 other children) out of the house, at the moment we can not go anywhere with him that involves a bus or a train etc. He is on highest rate carers allowance and lowest rate mobility allowance.
Does anybody know if this grant exists and if so would i qualify for it and where i can apply for it?
Thank you

How do you manage when he tries to harm himself and other people when you are out and about and he isn't on public transport--for example, in a shop?

marleyboy

Bumblefeet wrote: »

One of the mum's at my son's school used this site

http://www.familyfund.org.uk/

That covered her lessons, license. However, Buying the car/insurance etc they wont help with.

Second this post. I know someone who got their lessons and licence paid for through them. It all depends on your income as to eligibility, but its worth a shot as nothing ventured is nothing gained.

Good luck OP

wishing5

zoominatorone wrote: »

How do you manage when he tries to harm himself and other people when you are out and about and he isn't on public transport--for example, in a shop?

We can't take him to a shop, me and my husband manage it between us so one of us is always at home with him, if he does end up in a situation where he tries to harm himself or others we have to put our arms around him from behind (so he doesn't attack us) and we move him to the nearest quiet empty space for him to calm down, as soon as he's away from people he it totally fine and carries on as if nothing has happened, we manage fine with it all and have lots of support available if we need it but it would be nice to be able to take him to places such as the beach or the woods, quiet places which are very therapeutic for him, i just don't like him being house bound because he can't cope with people.

kingfisherblue

I had driving lessons paid for by the Family Fund. It was 14 years ago now, so the rules may have changed. At the time, you needed to have some access to a car. I was married, so I would be able to use my husband's car occasionally, and he would get a lift to work.

FF paid for 38 lessons, one theory test, and up to two practical tests. I already had a provisional licence. Lessons were with BSM, who were paid direct. I was able to choose whether to have one or two lessons a week. I passed after the 38 lessons, but if I had failed, I would have had to pay if I wanted to continue.

I have to say it is the best thing I have done. It makes life so much easier. Instead of relying on relatives or public transport to get us to hospital appointments, I can drive my son myself. I can also take himn to Deaf Club, which wouldn't have been a possibility otherwise (two buses each way, evening club finishing at nine, but would only get home at 10pm, which is too late for my son. Instead, we're home at 9.15).

kazzah60

ditto KIngfisher Blue

I also was lucky enough to have driving lessons paid for by the Family Fund also with BSM although this was 20 years ago now

PLEASE apply to them - you will have NO idea of how much of a benefit it is to NOT have to rely on public transport or friends and relatives for lifts

marleyboy

I should add that not much has changed regarding FF. The conditions for Family Fund are still to this day as described above.