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You Ask Us
Q. I am in the process of settling my compensation award and wondered if you have any information on the benefits of setting up a Trust Fund?
A. To ensure you are getting the most of your compensation award and that you are not deprived unnecessarily of your benefits entitlement, it is essential that you obtain advice from someone experienced in the personal injury sector. You might wish to contact AWD Chase de Vere through SIA Financial Services who are a leading independent financial advice firm with its own specialist personal injury advice team. All readers of FORWARD are offered a free initial no-obligation meeting with AWD Chase de Vere. To take advantage of this offer call
0844 800 9562 or visit their website at www.siafs.com
Q. I am considering buying a caravan but wondered whether I could fit a tow bar to my Motability vehicle?
A. If you want to fit a tow bar to your car, you should inform both Motability Operations and Royal & Sun Alliance Motability prior to having it fitted.
You will also need to give consideration to breakdown cover. The RAC provides a Motability Assist breakdown package for Motability cars within the UK (European breakdown cover is available as an optional addition). Caravanners are advised to contact the RAC before their journey to see if they can arrange breakdown cover for a caravan for the UK or Europe. There will be an additional charge for this cover.
Q. I am considering returning to driving but feel that I will need some help and advice on how to go about this; are there any organisations that can help me with this?
A. You may wish to contact the Forum of Mobility Centres. They are a network of 17 independent organizations covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who offer professional information, advice and assessment to anyone who has a medical condition or are recovering from an accident or injury which may affect their ability to drive, access or egress a motor vehicle. You can attend whichever centre is the most convenient for you. For further details visit
www.mobility-centres.org.uk or telephone
0800 559 3636.
Q. I would like to do some voluntary work but as a wheelchair user I’m not sure what I can do; have you any suggestions?
A. If you are considering returning to work in the future, volunteering is a very good way to start. For many it is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and get involved in social interaction with a cross section of people as well as bring back a focus to your own daily routine. It can also help to rebuild your own confidence and at the same time as helping others. Before making contact it is a good idea to think about what you would like to do in terms of the type of organization you would be willing to volunteer for. You can check the variety of voluntary work available by contacting your local Volunteer Bureau (usually linked with the Council for Voluntary services) or contact Volunteer England at
www.volunteering.org.uk or Telephone
0845 305 6979. You may also wish to visit
www.Do-it.org.uk which hosts a national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK and has an on-line facility whereby you can enter a subject of interest together with your postcode and you are then presented with numerous organisations seeking volunteers within your local area. If you are considering returning to work, then you might like to contact John Leonard, SIA’s Employment Adviser, who would be more than happy to assist you with any queries you may have in this connection. Tel:
0845 678 6633 ext. 216 or email
J.Leonard@spinal.co.uk