224 - Buying an electric wheelchair to give someone greater freedom to get out - October 2024


With donation 224 we have been able to support someone nominated by one of our members who works at a Darnall Wellbeing - a local community health organisation.


Our member told us about E - a lady who has health struggles and is housebound,  unable to leave her property on her own because she has a hand manual wheelchair and cannot self push herself. 


She does not feel the care she receives is adequate for her needs and like so many people, she is frustrated with the available services, being sent from door to door repeating the same things. Due to this E suffers from low mood, anxiety and social isolation. 

E has now sent a PIP application but it can take up to 6 months for PIP claims to conclude and she may not be successful.


Due to the complexity of her multiple diagnosis, there are continuous delays within the NHS, who are often unable to find suitable appointment times fitting in with the client , her carer and services. E is currently trying to contact social services asking for more care hours but seems to not get far.  Sadly this is such a familiar story.


E feels that having a foldable powered wheelchair would improve the quality of her life with an instant effect. She feels that it would allow her to get her independence (or parts of it at least) back again and she would be able to go out of her house to get some fresh air, which currently is not able to. She is also optimistic that with a powered wheelchair she will be able to attend activities and church events, and even be able to access public transport and taxis, which she is currently unable to do due to the complexity of the whole situation.   Her support team really believe the wheelchair will have a massive impact and asked if we could send £500 towards the cost, which would enable them to help her make the purchase.


We were happy to help and are so grateful that your contributions continue to allow us to say yes to requests like this, that genuinely have such a positive impact on people’s lives.



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