Inspiring social care image winner captures fast-paced fun of chariot driving

The star of a winning image from Community Care’s second Inspiring Images of Social Care competition is now a national competitor in chariot driving, thanks to the support of the Sports Driving Unlimited charity.

Josh, 21, has cerebral palsy and has been an enthusiastic horse rider since the age of four, but due to his disability he was “never able to go fast enough” until he signed up to Sports Driving Unlimited.

The charity, which offers carriage driving opportunities to young people with learning disabilities, launched at an equine fair in Edinburgh in 2007 and Josh was one of their first clients.

“Josh likes speed and galloping around the field more than anything,” said Rosemary Flexney, chair of Sports Driving Unlimited. “He has been driving now for seven years and has competed at a number of regional and national events.”

Sports Driving Unlimited funds lessons and group activities for young people at the Chariots of Fire driving centre, near Lockerbie, as well as supporting young people to attend competitions, including the National Indoor Driving Championships in Bedfordshire.

Last year, Josh won the novice class at the indoor championships, as well as studying for a law degree at Stirling University and writing reviews on events at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Flexney added: “Josh is a fascinating young man and it was amazing to win the competition and to gain recognition for what we do, which is to invite people to try things that are different and not initially thought to be in the remit of somebody who is in a wheelchair.

“Our winning image demonstrates just how exciting it is and just what is possible for people with additional needs when opportunities are presented to them.”

The Inspiring Images photography competition is sponsored by Caritas recruitment and all 12 winners will be featured in a charity calendar, which will be sent out to thousands of social care professionals.