Motability Foundation

Just because #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek is coming to an end, it does not mean the conversation stops here. #TransportEquity can only exist when the mental load of making a journey is the same for everyone.⁣ ⁣ As we travel around the UK meeting our grant recipients, one theme comes up again and again: stress and worry. For many, the anxiety of getting from A to B is amplified when they rely on others.⁣ ⁣ That’s what Charlie told us last week.⁣ ⁣ Charlie, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, found themselves in a vulnerable position when a relationship ended. But since joining the Motability Scheme and learning to drive, they no longer worry how they’ll make essential trips.⁣ ⁣ “If I didn’t have my car, I wouldn’t be able to get myself to specialist medical appointments in London. I wouldn’t be able to pick up supplies from the shops or have my puppy. Without the car, it would be hard to take her to a vet in an emergency.⁣ ⁣ “Having a dog makes a huge difference to my mental health. I’m training her to be an assistance dog, and she has changed my life almost as much as my car.⁣ ⁣ “Although I still have mobility difficulties when I go out, being able to go out has opened the world to me in the most fantastic way.”⁣ ⁣ For many disabled people, the stress of making a journey can be enough to stop that journey from happening at all.⁣ ⁣ That’s why we must keep talking about mental health - to better understand the barriers and, ultimately, remove them.⁣ ⁣ [Image descriptions:⁣ ⁣ Image 1: A headshot of Charlie standing in their doorway. They have pink hair and are wearing multi coloured clothing.⁣ ⁣ Image 2: Charlie is holding their dog by the lead. Their dog is black poodle cross and is wearing a red neckerchief. Together they are on their drive next to Charlie's silver car.⁣ ⁣ Image 3: Charlie is using a purple mobility aid and is walking their on a tree-lined path in the park.⁣ ⁣ Image 4: Charlie is in their garden with their dog. In the background there are light brown wooden sheds and plants. There are also colourful hanging garden decorations. Both Charlie and their dog are smiling.]

Turning prosthetics into a fashion statement! Wrapsthetic co-founder Bernadette Hagans is using her own experiences to help empower amputees and wheelchair users to “feel proud, stylish and seen”. Hagans’ company develops colour wrap kits to customise various different disability aids like prosthetics, crutches and AFOs (ankle-foot orthosis), and wheelchair spoke guards. Tap the link in bio to read the full story. [ID: Two slides. Slide 1 shows Wrapsthetic co-founder Bernadette stands smiling with vibrant, colourful prosthetic leg wraps, showcasing her brand's fashion-forward mission. Slide 2 shows a prosthetic leg with a vibrant sugar skull Wrapsthetic cover and a quote about empowering individuals to feel proud and stylish]. Photos: Courtesy of Wrapsthetic #Wrapsthetic #DisabilityInclusion #CustomDisabledAids #LifestyleMagazine #MotabilityLifestyle

There is a real conversation to be had around how having a physical disability can impact your mental health.⁣ ⁣ We hear it all the time from our grant recipients. The forward planning involved in going somewhere new: will there be a ramp if you need one? Will there be accessible toilets en route? Will there be toilets full stop. The anxiety around using public transport comes up a lot too. What happens if there is a cancellation or change of service? Will other passengers by sympathetic to my needs? Will there be a guaranteed place to sit or dock my wheelchair? For some, the mental anguish caused by the very thought of making a journey can stop that journey happening altogether. And that can have serious consequences.⁣ ⁣ Leanne has a condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which means her joints dislocate easily. When her son was due to start high school, she knew that learning to drive could be the answer to her problems.⁣ ⁣ “For a long time, I didn’t leave my house due to my disability and anxiety. Driving has changed my life completely. If, at times, my anxiety won’t let me go out, my car is like a second house, a safety box around me, so I can get out.”⁣ ⁣ Leasing a car through the Motability Scheme means that journeys that used to be stressful and difficult for Leanne, are now achievable.⁣ ⁣ “My son has autism and ADHD and the high school we wanted to get him into was a little bit further away. Although we tried using buses, it affected me with my disability and my anxiety, so I reached the point where I needed to get a car.”⁣ ⁣ Leanne’s confidence and independence have vastly improved since getting her car.⁣ ⁣ “Thanks to Motability Foundation, driving has given me a new lease of life. It’s amazing what getting out can do for you. I feel useful.”⁣ ⁣ We are sharing Leanne’s story in support of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, which runs from today until 17 May. Find out more about how you can get involved with this campaign via @mentalhealthfoundation .

The May 2026 issue is here, and it’s an outdoorsy one! We meet four trailblazers championing access to the great outdoors. From adaptive scuba diving and paddleboarding to accessible beaches and trails with scooters, there’s something for everyone. @inclusivepaddleboarding @ani_went_outside @debbienorth29n @fraser.bathgate Plus: Discover how to navigate university as a mature student with a disability Find out the best accessible music venues in the UK @wheelie.rocking.pink Your guide to Tenerife's barrier-free beaches and resorts @carrieannlightley We chat to three people about their coping strategies living with chronic pain @chronicallyJenni @PippaStacey @mikedavies864 Motability Scheme customer Steven Jones talks about independence, living life to the fullest and taking on an adrenaline fuelled zip line challenge Spend 5 minutes with reality TV star @mollie_pearcee @sophia.adzoa.moore shares how reimagining movement on crutches reignited her passion for performance 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to read the full issue online! Credit: James Weston Lewis @jbwlewis [ID: A reel of photos from the issue] @_bsme #AccessibleTravel #Inclusive #Disability #ChronicIllness #DanceOnCrutches #TheTraitors #Festival #University #MotabilityScheme #Lifestyle #MotabilityLifestyle #BSMECoverOfTheMonth #BSMECoverOfTheMonth2026

Did you know, one in three blind and partially sighted people rarely or never use public transport? We want to change this. ⁣ ⁣ In partnership with RNIB, we’ve commissioned Nyla’s Journey – a powerful new short film that reimagines what transport systems could look like when they truly work for blind and partially sighted people. ⁣ ⁣ The ideas featured in the film were co-created through three workshops, bringing together transport leaders and people with lived experience. The result is a bold, imaginative vision for more inclusive travel. ⁣ ⁣ For a sneak peek of the film, watch the trailer below. ⁣ ⁣ You can also watch Nyla’s Journey in full here: 🎥 https://bit.ly/4d3GGgZ

Being out in the fresh air can do wonders for our wellbeing.⁣ ⁣ 🌻 This week is #NationalGardeningWeek and whether you have a windowsill, an allotment or a garden, spending time in nature can help you feel good. ⁣ ⁣ In support, we're sharing photos of our grant recipient Angela, having a day out in her local garden centre 💚⁣ ⁣ #GardeningForWellbeing

The streets of London are getting ready for Sunday’s Marathon! If you’ve ever watched from the sidelines and felt it wasn't ‘for you’, we’re here to change that narrative. Whether you use a wheelchair, have a visual impairment, or live with a hidden disability, the path to the finish line is open to you. From taking those first steps in your running journey to securing your spot in next year’s ballot, we share the steps you can take to make it happen. Best of luck to anyone taking part this Sunday! You’ve got this! Click the link in bio to read the full article. [ID: free slides with different images from the London Marathons]. Photo credit: SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty Images / TCS London Marathon #LondonMarathon2026 #SpiritOfLondon #ParaSport #Accessibility #RunLondon

Today is #NationalSiblingDay.⁣ ⁣ Through our grant-giving, we have been able fund safe, accessible travel for siblings up and down the country. 🚘

Today is #WorldAutismAwarenessDay. Many of our grant recipients have autism alongside other conditions, like Macie, here. At the Motability Foundation, we want to help create a world that works for autistic people and their families. You can read more about her and her family on our latest blog via the link in our bio. 🔗 [Image descriptions: Image 1: Three girls are playing in a colourful ball pit. There are yellow, blue, green, red and orange balls in the ball pit. The three girls have their arms up waving at the camera. Image 2: Macie is in a white t-shirt with a large pink heart in the centre. She has long plaited brown hair and is sat on a swing in a park with the brightest smile on her face. Her mum, Francesca is hugging her. Image 3: Macie is sitting on a net swing in the park with her little sibling on her lap. They are both giggling.]

ArtWorks Together has officially taken over the Millennium Gallery, in Sheffield, for its most ambitious festival yet! This isn’t just an art show, it’s a global celebration. It features 70 artists with a learning disability and/or autism from 21 different countries. The exhibition showcases everything from joyful sculptures and cityscapes to powerful films exploring lived experiences. Tickets are free and The Millennium Gallery is equipped with a wide range of accessible features. The exhibition is running until Saturday 31 May 2026. Tap the link in our bio to read the full story and plan your visit. [ID: photo of the exhibition]. Photo credit: ArtWorks Together #AccessibleTravel #ArtWorksTogether2026 #Art #MotabilityLifestyle #Lifestyle

Got a National Disability Card or National Carers Card? You can now get 50% off all Lime e-bike and e-scooter rides! The Lime Access programme has just expanded, automatically halving unlock fees and per-minute rates across the UK to help make travel more accessible and affordable. Tap the link in our bio to find out where you can ride for less and how to apply. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. [ID: photo of a rack of Lime bikes in London]. Photo credit: Ogulcan Aksoy/Getty Images #AccessibleTravel #LimeBikes #NationalDisabilityCard #NationalCarersCard #MotabilityLifestyle #Lifestyle

We sat down with the multi-talented Ruben Reuter to reflect on his incredible journey so far, following his theatre debut. The Channel 4 News reporter and CBBC star opened up about his biggest career highlights, sharing a birthday with Henry VIII, and his ultimate dream of joining the Doctor in the TARDIS. Click the link in our bio to read the full interview. [ID: full body photo of Ruben Reuter wearing a black leather jacket, checkered trousers and glasses]. Photo credit: Jodi Peake #RubenReuter #CBBC #LiveTheatre #ActorLife #DoctorWhoFandom #NewInterview #Lifestyle #MotabilityLifestyle