Celebrating 20 years of equipment grants

Dauood’s Story

Dauood has autism and severe learning difficulties and is unaware of danger, often running off without warning. After a frightening incident involving a stray dog, his family received a wheelchair from Newlife, allowing them to take him out safely. His mum says, “He loves sitting inside it and it allows us to take him places and keep him safe at the same time.”

Autumn’s Story

Autumn, who has Spina Bifida and Chiari Malformation Type 2, often struggled to keep up with others in her manual wheelchair. Thanks to Newlife, she now has a powered wheelchair that lets her enjoy days out, keep up with friends, and explore without limits. Her mum says, “She absolutely loves her powered wheelchair… she would be in it all day every day if she could!”

Dylan’s Story

Dylan has quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and a big love for golf, especially spending time at the course with his dad. When he outgrew his car seat, he had to stop joining those special outings—until Newlife provided a specialist seat that keeps him supported and comfortable. Now he’s back on the golf course with his dad and ready for more adventures. His mum said, “It’s great for general journeys too… we can go wherever we need to and it will last him for years to come!”

Elis’s Story

Elis has a connective tissue disorder, severe hypermobility, and autism traits, which make walking painful and unsafe. Thanks to a specialist buggy from Newlife, he can now travel safely and comfortably with his family, get to school without exhaustion, and enjoy time out in the community. His mum says, “The buggy is a godsend… it means Elis is safe, supported, and can enjoy life without becoming burnt out.”

Kye’s Story

Kye, who has ADHD, sensory issues, and autism, struggled with severe sleep issues that affected the whole family and posed safety risks. Thanks to Newlife’s Emergency Equipment Loan, he now has a specialist bed that keeps him secure at night and helps him sleep better. His mum says, “I now have peace of mind going to bed at night knowing he’s safe and happy. I cannot thank Newlife enough!”

Rudy’s Story

Born with multiple rare haemangioma tumours that caused brain damage, Rudy faced mobility challenges and pain in his old wheelchair. Thanks to a powered wheelchair from Newlife, he now has greater independence, comfort, and the freedom to enjoy more time outdoors with family and friends.

Finlay’s Story

Finlay has Cerebral Palsy, and his old wheelchair caused pain and limited his independence. Since receiving a wheelchair with powered wheels from Newlife, his life has transformed—he now enjoys social outings, college life, and greater freedom. “I can get around on my own, which is lovely,” he says. “I have a cracking social life and love working at the garden centre.”

Sam’s Story

Eight years ago, a specialist sit-to-stand wheelchair from Newlife gave Sam the independence he needed to attend university and build his future. “That wheelchair made my university life possible,” he says. “I met my friends, got a good grade, and now I work at Channel 4—all because I had the right equipment at the right time.”

Eleanor’s Story

Eleanor was 12 when she received a powered wheelchair from Newlife, which opened up a whole new world of adventure for her. Ellie was able to join her local Girlguiding group, progressing from Brownies at age nine, through the Rangers and now, aged 23, is a leader at the very same guide unit she attended as a child.

She said: “I was grateful for my NHS wheelchair, but it wasn’t really suitable for outdoors, so the all-terrain powered wheelchair from Newlife was a gamechanger for me at the time.”

Rhys’s Story

Rhys has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is a huge Fulham FC fan. After a long wait for support, Newlife provided a portable hoist that allows him to be moved safely, giving him more freedom to attend matches, play wheelchair football, and stay out longer. “It’s given him so much more independence,” says his mum. “We literally don’t know what we would have done without it.”

Amelia’s Story

Amelia, who has a rare genetic condition and multiple complex needs, is partially sighted, tube-fed, and unable to sit or crawl. Despite this, she’s learning to speak and loves spending time in her sensory room, playing with toys from Newlife’s Play Therapy Pods. Her mum says, “It’s lovely to see her interact, play and learn—the toys really help her development.”

Summer’s Story

Summer has an extremely rare genetic condition that affects her mobility and communication, and she was left housebound when her broken buggy gave out and no suitable wheelchair was provided. Thanks to Newlife’s Emergency Loan Service, she now has a specialist buggy that allows her to attend school, medical appointments, and enjoy life outside. Her mum says, “I don’t know what we would have done without Newlife.”

Terrence’s Story

Terrance, who has autism and learning difficulties, often becomes overwhelmed in noisy or crowded places and is unable to communicate his distress. This led to dangerous meltdowns that his mum couldn’t manage alone. A specialist buggy from Newlife has changed everything—“It’s his safe place,” says his mum Jessica. “It makes him feel so much calmer.”

Ronnie-Ray’s Story

Ronnie-Ray has an emerging diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and needs extra postural support, which his old buggy couldn’t provide. Thanks to a specialist buggy from Newlife, he can now enjoy safe, comfortable outings. His mum Chantelle says, “The buggy has been a godsend—we’ve been able to go out a lot more, including to his favourite place, the Dinosaur Park.”

Muhammad’s Story

Muhammad’s progressive condition affects his skeleton and joints, making walking painful and limiting his ability to attend school. His old buggy lacked the spinal support he needed, leaving him uncomfortable and isolated. Now, thanks to a specialist wheelchair from Newlife, Muhammad can sit properly, return to school, and enjoy life again. His mum says, “It helps him feel so much better!”

Grace’s Story

Grace, who has Autism and learning difficulties, had outgrown her standard car seat and urgently needed a safer alternative. Without it, her family was limited in where they could go. Thanks to Newlife, Grace now has a specialist car seat with a five-point harness, giving her the safety and support she needs to travel comfortably for years to come.

Our Campaign Story

Last year, we launched our report, Fight for Our Future, which showcased the harsh reality faced by children with disabilities in accessing essential support – especially specialist equipment. We know that providing children and young people with the right equipment at the right time can have a profound positive impact. Yet, despite rising demand, only 2 in 5 families feel their child has the right equipment and being able to access it is harder than ever before.  

For many, equipment isn’t just about convenience – it’s about dignity, mobility and quality of life. From communication devices to wheelchairs, families face unacceptable delays with assessments and waiting lists stretching months, even years. 

Local services are under pressure – 60% report longer waits, nearly half have cut equipment budgets and staff shortages persist. Children with disabilities are being let down by a broken system.  

We’re urging leaders to act – invest in equipment, cut delays and fill the gaps in care. Together, let’s make sure that no child is left waiting. 

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Nurse Karen’s Story

Key to creating Newlife’s Equipment Grant Service in 2005 was Newlife Consultant Nurse, Karen Dobson, who still works for Newlife today.

Karen said: “The Equipment Grant Service came into being when we were still BDF Newlife and we began receiving numerous calls about seating systems. It quickly became apparent it was an issue in Cannock and Stafford – but little did we know how big the issue really was!

“We thought we would be providing all the nice things like bikes, trikes and toys to help disabled children, but we found the real issue was that disabled children couldn’t even get the basic equipment they needed. So, we began supporting them and, by doing so, also helping the NHS.

“I still have the same passion now for helping disabled children as I did back then – and I still see every single application for an Equipment Grant. The most rewarding thing is to know that we are truly making a difference to the children and families we support.”

Stephen’s Story

“Paralympian Sinclair Thomas said ‘It’s not what I can’t do that matters, give me the right equipment at the right time and I’ll show you what I can do’. I think that’s such a good motto for our Equipment Grant service,” says Stephen Morgan, Newlife’s Director of Charitable Services, as he reflects back on the service which is celebrating an amazing 20 years.

When the Equipment Grant service first began as a year-long trial in 2005, it was set to be something very different, as Newlife’s Trustees agreed to spend £30,000 providing equipment to boost quality of life for children with disabilities, such as trikes and therapy benches – but the team quickly saw an urgent unmet need for equipment like specialist beds and buggies, resulting in Newlife spending £500,000 on vital everyday equipment in its first year. 

Stephen said: “Now, 20 years later, the urgent need families face for equipment has increased, but since its first foray into providing equipment grants, Newlife has learned a lot about what families need – from the families themselves speaking to our Newlife Nurses and we’ve made changes to ensure we meet those needs in the best way possible.”

Bobby’s Story

Eight-year-old Bobby embraces every opportunity with an amazing zest for life, despite having no movement in his legs due to him being born with a spinal cord injury. He urgently needed a new wheelchair when his old one became too small for him and began falling apart.

Bobby’s wheelchair became unsafe as the brakes didn’t work too well – which meant he could no longer independently transfer himself from the floor to his wheelchair. It also no longer supported his posture and meant he couldn’t sit straight, so the curve in his spine began to worsen, causing him pain – but a new wheelchair from Newlife means he now has his independence again, is enjoying lots of activities and living life to the full!