Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust donates surplus wheelchairs to dementia charity

The donation of wheelchairs was made by the Northumbria Wheelchair Centre and includes five self-propelled chairs and five attendant chairs.

The Northumbria Wheelchair Centre opened in December 2022 and is a one-stop shop for the assessment of postural mobility and wheelchair patients in Northumberland and North Tyneside.

Dementia Matters was set up in 1993 as a registered charity to provide services for people with dementia and their carers living in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.

The donated wheelchairs were being stored at the Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub, which is located in Seaton Delaval.

Ian Garrett, general manager at the Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub, said: “Not only are we pleased that we could support a local charity, but we’re also delighted that these wheelchairs will be used to help residents maintain mobile independence – which is incredibly important.”

The goal of the charity is to provide a voice for those living with dementia and to provide family-centred services for those who need support.

Dementia Matters’ director of partnerships and development, Bev Reid, said: “We are delighted to have received the kind donation of wheelchairs, which are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of all those we support.

“Recent pressures have hit small charities like ours and the support and kindness shown from the team at Northumbria Healthcare will help us to continue to provide much-needed essential services and continue to give a message of hope to our wonderful families and staff.”