Just Care Products is now able to offer customers the opportunity to lease mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs through the UK’s Motability scheme. It’s the first time this has been made available to customers on the Isle of Man.
The Motability scheme has been operating in the UK for 38 years and enables those receiving Disability Living Allowance to use part of the allowance to lease a scooter or powered wheelchair.
Tracey Hellowell, MD of Just Care Products approached the UK operators of the scheme earlier in the year and over several months negotiated to bring the scheme to the Island. Inspectors from the UK visited Just Care Products to meet the team and assess the business, and it has now been approved to offer the Motability scheme locally.
Inclusion in the scheme means that Just Care Products gains exclusivity with main scooter and powered wheelchair suppliers, such as TGA, Electric Mobility (Rascal), Sunrise Medical and Monarch Mobility, giving customers a range of over 150 products to choose from.
Mrs Hellowell explains, ‘A big part of the appeal of the scheme for customers is that they get a reliable new scooter or powered wheelchair complete with insurance, breakdown assistance and servicing taken care of. The worry-free nature of the package and the wide choice and the help and advice we can give to ensure customers find the right product for their needs, makes being a Motability specialist very worthwhile. We are more than delighted to have been appointed.’
Essentially, a person who receives either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioner Mobility Supplement can exchange part of their weekly mobility payment to lease a scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme.
The informative ‘Your guide to leasing a Motability scooter or powered wheelchair’ contains an overview of the Scheme, what’s included, practical advice when considering which vehicle to lease, and the latest price list. The guide is free and available to view and download from www.motability.co.uk.
Motability, the charity, oversees and sets policy for the Motability Scheme.
In October 2015, Mrs Hellowell joined the Healthcare and Assistive Technology Society as a Council member. The Society, headquartered in London, promotes industry standards and a professional code of conduct, encourages the professional development of members and supports individuals working in the healthcare sector.
Just Care Products Limited is a family business supporting independent living. It has been trading since August 2011. The recently expanded showroom at Spring Valley Trading Estate has free parking and easy access. The team, who are disability awareness trained, are members of the Healthcare and Assistive Technology Society. They have undergone Basic Disclosure (CRB) checks and offer advice and support both in the showroom and at customers’ own homes. The business offers practical solutions for everyday problems and is able to provide customers with a wide selection of products including daily living aids, mobility scooters, wheelchairs (both powered and manual), rollators, rise and recline chairs, and ramps, together with consumable products for continence and hygiene. Just Care Products also has a service engineer based at its workshop to carry out repairs and servicing.
Louise Lucas-Kneen, the first customer on the Island to use the Motability scheme, is pictured with Tracey Hellowell, of Just Care Products.
Louise’s husband, Rob Lucas-Kneen, said, ‘We would like to say a big thank you to Tracey and the team for all the assistance in helping my wife choose her mobility scooter through the Motability scheme. We’d recommend Just Care to all.’
