Registered charity formed in 1992 by wheelchair users.

The mission of the Wheelchair Users Group is "To Empower and Enable Wheelchair Users to lead full and active lives by helping them obtain the right mobility equipment from both the statutory and private sector".

We are a 'user' led organisation that is run and controlled by disabled people, this is reflected by the current management team of five, four being full-time wheelchair users. We also have our own Access Advisor, Access Auditor and a Mobility Advisor for assessments.

The group runs a Free-phone support help-line and provides a comprehensive information service covering all aspects of wheelchair use. 'Wheel Power' news and information magazine issued 2/3 times a year.

Runs Folkestone Shopmobility with support of DISK volunteers, providing electric scooters and manual wheelchairs for shopping and leisure activities in and around the town centre area. Scheme is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the office located at 7 Town Walk, Folkstone. All scooters and wheelchairs must be pre-booked by phone on 01303 226464.

Facilitates the Countywide Wheelchair User Forum working in partnership with the NHS Wheelchair Service on the provision and future development of that service. If you have a wheelchair provided by the NHS Wheelchair Service in Canterbury, Dartford, Folkestone, Maidstone, Medway or Tunbridge Wells we are interested in your views. The group provides advice and information on how to access and use the NHS service, including details on the provision of electric powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOC's) and the voucher scheme.

The Wheelchair Users Group have a small group of volunteers who will go into schools, colleges, clubs and associations to talk about their experiences of being a wheelchair user in a society that caters almost exclusively for non-disabled people. For their talks in schools they take along an active user wheelchair so that the children can experience using a chair at first hand.

Publishes the news and information magazine "Wheel Power".

Works with Shepway District Council to improve access for all disabled people in the Shepway area.

The population of Kent is 1,565,960, there are 161,155 people with long-term illness or physical disability living in the county, which is 10.3% of the population. There are over 25,000 wheelchair users in Kent. Recent work commissioned by the NHS Purchasing and Supplies agency estimates there are 825,000 regular users of NHS wheelchair services in England.

Membership of the group is open to any wheelchair user, enabler/carer, personal assistant, health/social professional or disability/voluntary organisation. Annual Membership rates are as follows: On Benefits or Retired £6.00, in Paid Employment £8.00, Disability/Voluntary Organisations and Family Membership £10.00.

Any Wheelchair User, Disability/Voluntary Organisation, Carer, Enabler, Personal Assistant or Health Professional from outside the county taking out subscription to our news and information magazine 'Wheel Power' has access to our Support Help-line and Information Service. Subscription rates are £8.00 for those in employment, £6.00 for those on benefits/retired and £10.00 for family membership or disability/voluntary organisations.

The Group is an independent non-profit making charitable organisation; all the services we provide are funded from advertising revenue, sponsorship, fund raising activities, membership fees, small grants from local councils and by donations from members and supporters.

Wheelchair Users Group and Wheel Power Magazine
Registered under the Data Protection Act 1984
Registration Number X4144883

Member of RADAR & NFS (The National Federation of Shopmobility)

About Page Last Updated February 13th 2007