Darren Harris is a Paralympian, footballer, coach, motivational speaker, and Motability Scheme ambassador. He started a group called Unblind Your Mind to help people in business and education overcome challenges. Darren is England’s most-capped blind footballer. He also has an honorary doctorate, is an Amazon bestselling author, and is a TEDx speaker.
We talked to Darren about his experience as a Motability Scheme ambassador and customer. He leases a car through the Scheme and has shared the positives of being on the Scheme and his journey in joining.
Joining the Motability Scheme
Darren always knew about the Motability Scheme but was not sure how it would fit into his busy life. Once he looked into it and found a driver who could be added to the Scheme, everything became much easier.
He shares how the process went smoothly. The website was user-friendly and accessible,” he said. “It was easy to find a car I liked.” He then visited a few dealerships in Birmingham and found plenty of options to choose from.
How the Motability Scheme has helped
Darren explained how joining the Motability Scheme has benefited his life. Before joining, he relied on public transport for work and training. Having a car gives him more freedom and time, as he no longer need to rely on train schedules.
“Joining the Motability Scheme has been a game changer for me,” Darren said. “Having a car and not being tied to train timetables has given me more freedom and time.”
Insurance cover with the Motability Scheme
He also highlighted the ease of having a driver who can be added to his insurance through the Scheme’s worry-free package. “Finding a suitable vehicle with the Scheme was easy. And adding a driver to my insurance was simple and did not cost extra, which is great,” he said.
“Having a driver and car saves me a lot of time and makes it easier to get to training and work, especially early in the morning or late at night,” Darren added. “It’s also more comfortable having the car. When it’s cold, wet, and miserable, you don’t want to be standing at the train station for hours!”
He recently had to make an insurance claim after a small accident. Knowing it was covered gave Darren the peace of mind he needed. He said, “It was less to worry about because you knew it’d be covered. No one wants to go through that, but it was nice to know it would get sorted.”
Your worry-free lease package
Your lease with the Scheme includes insurance cover. Together with Direct Line Motability (DLM), we’ll arrange this for you. You can add up to three drivers and can change these at any time.
If you’re involved in an accident, you should report it to DLM as soon as possible and register a claim. You can do this online in the ‘Insurance’ section of your Motability Scheme online account.
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Using the Motability Scheme Online Account
Darren praised the Motability Scheme online account, saying “It’s clearly been designed to be accessible for people with visual impairments.” As a screen reader user, he finds it easy to use and quickly finds the information he needs.
Thoughts on Electric Vehicles (EVs)
When asked about EVs, Darren shared his positive experience of travelling 120 miles non-stop in an EV to run the Yorkshire marathon. He mentioned he’d be open to switching to an EV in the future. “It’s important for me to charge at home. I’m positive about EVs and think it’s great they’re available through the Scheme,” he added.
Darren’s highlights as a Motability Scheme ambassador
When asked about his role as a Motability Scheme ambassador, he shared his excitement: “Where to start, it’s flown by! I really enjoyed the launch event in London. It was great to meet the other ambassadors and reconnect with a couple of people I know from previous Paralympic Games.”
Darren spoke at The Big Event in Birmingham. He and fellow ambassadors Will Bayley and Mark Ormrod were interviewed together. Darren said, “We had a lot of fun. It was amazing to talk to other Scheme customers and hear how the Scheme has changed their lives.”
As a new customer, Darren found it heartwarming to hear from long-time Scheme members. He shared, “It’s lovely hearing from those who have been on the Scheme for a long time.”
Find out more about the other Motability Scheme ambassadors
Darren’s future plans
Darren’s excited about the future. He’s looking forward to working with more organisations across the country. Thanks to his Scheme car, he can now travel with ease, comfort, and confidence. As he continues to inspire others through his athletic achievements and motivational work.
Interested in joining the Motability Scheme?
Join over 800,000 customers who already enjoy the benefits of a worry-free lease package through the Scheme. Explore our full range of cars available using our Find a vehicle tool.
Request a free information pack to learn more about the Scheme.
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