By order of the King: Anu crowned for driving change
When Anuraj (Anu) Varshney received the news that he had won the national Merit Award from The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), it was a proud moment. But his win was not a surprise to those who work with him.
For more than 20 years, he has been leading South East DriveAbility, a service dedicated to helping people regain their independence behind the wheel after life-changing illness, injury or degenerative disease.
His efforts earned him an invitation to Buckingham Palace (Garden Party) in, for recognition of his work, where he joined others honoured for their contributions to community health and wellbeing.
South East DriveAbility began in 2003. Then a little-used two-day-a-week service, it has since grown to a busy operation that carries out 1,300 assessments a year.
The service assists people with conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, visual impairment or early dementia and helps them to determine if and how they can continue to drive safely.
“It’s not just about passing a test or failing one,” Anu explained. “It’s about maintaining confidence, independence and dignity.”
The team offers thorough individual assessments covering physical cognitive and sensory abilities.
Anu said: “The approach is tailored to each person, balancing safety with quality of life. For some this means returning to driving with adaptations such as hand controls or left-foot accelerators. For others it means facing the difficult reality that driving may no longer be safe.”
His focus has always been on accessibility and respect. He introduced an outreach model using community venues like fire stations and churches, bringing the service closer to those who need it. This cost-effective, flexible approach has since been adopted nationwide.
Anu and wife outside Buckingham Palace
Anu recalled: “I’ve seen clients whose lives have been truly transformed by the service. One young man lost a leg but was able to return to driving with a modified vehicle and went on to pursue a career as a lawyer. Another was a taxi driver who, after suffering a stroke, was cleared to return to work. These stories really highlight the real-world impact of what we do – restoring not just mobility but livelihoods and independence.”
Before moving to the UK in 1991, Anu worked in India supporting children with neurological conditions and polio. His dedication continued here, contributing to early community neuro-rehabilitation teams and earning recognition from the MS Society.
Occupational Therapist Jill Williams who has worked alongside him for many years said: “Despite his endless responsibilities, Anu is readily available to share his knowledge and offers support in a totally non-judgmental way.
“He strives to improve the lives and wellbeing of others, by continually demonstrating his innovative leadership qualities in service development and delivery of care.”
Today, Anu is still pushing positive change. He regularly advises national and European groups on driving policy and innovation.
Though honoured by the award, he insists the award reflects the dedication of his colleagues. “This is a team effort,” he said. “Every member plays a vital role in supporting people through a difficult process.”
Looking ahead, his vision is clear. He concluded: “We’re working on cutting-edge scientific evidence. Right now, I’m part of an expert panel advising the European Union on the ‘fit to drive’ licence review.
“My passion is autonomous vehicles and how technology can support older and disabled drivers. There’s a huge digital gap and it’s vital we educate people and develop policies to make the transition smooth and fair so no one is left behind."
