The bottom line: driving change in road safety

I've been at the helm of Driver's Edge UK since the back end of 2008. The enterprise's aim is to give young drivers more than just the technical driving know-how offered by most driving agencies.

It's a mission, which is very close to my heart. After losing a friend in a road traffic accident, I felt very keenly that I had to do something to help prevent more unavoidable road deaths.

The sharpness of this memory is the motor that powers my commitment to the business. Thanks to Southern Housing Group, which recognised my potential to provide a unique, valuable service to young people, and funded me through a social enterprise course, my business model is swiftly becoming reality.

Currently an 18-year-old driver is about three times more likely than an older driver to be involved in a car accident, so you can see that my team and I have our work cut out.

My aim is to provide an all-round service that bridges the gap between theoretical safety awareness and actual know-how.

Drivers Edge UK is both a motoring school and intensive educational programme that equips young people with the skills, knowledge and conscience to drive safely.

We provide young people with a whole training package, including workshops, seminars and the Driver's Edge Motoring School.

Each session takes students through the key causes of road traffic accidents, from behavioural issues to the appearance of the car itself. Being able to identify, read and choose the right course of action in potentially hazardous situations is the best way to keep yourself and other road users safe.

Young people are often in accidents due to lack of experience, so it makes sense to give people the awareness they need to spot a dangerous situation.

Taking driving safety seriously could have financial benefits for young people too. Young drivers often find that they are priced off the roads as a result of high insurance costs. I aim to establish Drivers Edge UK as the gold star of driving proficiency, recognised by insurance companies, and help lower insurance quotes for young people.

As for the future, I aim to make Driver's Edge UK a household name across the country. I'm passionate about driving safety and believe that a social enterprise such as this should be a government endorsed service embedded into the educational curriculum for all young people who want to drive.

For all you budding entrepreneurs out there who have the ideas but lack the capital, it's well worth looking into what funding there is available to help you. Some housing associations may have funds similar to Southern Housing Group's social enterprise fund, which is set up to support residents in realising businesses which will benefit others.

If you want to find out more about what we do at Driver's Edge UK go to www.driversedgeuk.com. For more information about Southern Housing Group and the range of funding opportunities open to residents go to www.shgroup.org.uk.