In our new ‘Driving Mobility Centre of the Month’ feature, we focus our spotlight on the team and services at South East DriveAbility (SED) in Aylesford near Maidstone.
SED is a specialist service offered by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and was originally set up in 2003. In almost 20 years of service, they have transformed lives and given independence to people with medical conditions and disabilities, through advice and assessments for fitness to drive.
Julie Chatburn, started working at South East DriveAbility in 2005: “When I joined the team in 2005, SED was part of a Neuro Rehab Team. Starting with a team of just four working from a small portacabin, we offered a two-day service, then following a rapid expansion in a matter of weeks and increasing demand we were at a full-time commitment beyond anything we initially thought possible.
“I am so proud to have helped build such a successful and well-respected team that has gained a reputation for great service.”
SED offers a full range of services, including clinical and expert advanced driving assessment and advice to a client base that spans the generations including:
✅ Car driving assessment
✅ High Tech driving adaptations (including drive from wheelchair)
✅ Driver/passenger access/seating assessment
✅ Wheelchair/scooter loading assessment (including WAV)
✅ Driving tuition service
✅ Older driver improvement
South East DriveAbility is committed to providing services for younger and older drivers and thanks to the emerging technology in driving, will be able to make a difference to more and more people.
Assisting service users to achieve safe independent community mobility is their ultimate aim. SED also indirectly supports public health for improving health and wellbeing of their clients by helping to provide independence and community mobility.
Jill Williams is an Occupational Therapist at SED and is full of praise for the work she gets to do: “I joined the team in 2015. We work hard to create a professional atmosphere and create a comfortable experience for our clients.
“I am enormously proud to be a part of a team who are passionate and dedicated to make a difference and help clients with their independence and mobility.”
If you are local to the Maidstone area and want to find out more about how the SED team could help you or someone you know please visit:
Tel: 0300 0134 886
Email: kcht.sedriveability@nhs.net
#MyDrivingMobility #DrivingAssessments #DisabledDrivers SouthEast DriveAbility NHS #maidstone #Kent #Aylesford