New membership programme to bring businesses together for young wheelchair users

Whizz-Kidz, a charity that aims to transform the lives of disabled children by providing the equipment they need, has launched the Business Alliance, a new membership programme that brings companies together to champion young wheelchair users and build a more inclusive society.

The launch followed an online discussion called ‘Lessons in Lockdown’, where a panel of business leaders, chaired by actress and Whizz-Kidz patron Ruth Madeley, discussed how organisations can and should adapt in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the ‘new normal’ is more inclusive than the old ways of working.

By joining the Business Alliance, companies will have the opportunity to make these adaptations and demonstrate their support for Whizz-Kidz – helping the charity provide the right equipment and support for young wheelchair users across the UK, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Membership provides access to a range of benefits as well as a network of like-minded organisations working together to champion young wheelchair users.

There will be three levels of membership available:

• Member (£5,000 per year)
• Partner (£10,000 per year)
• Patron (£20,000 per year)

The money raised from the partnerships will enable Whizz-Kidz to reach young people and provide the support they need in many different ways.

It will help to provide wheelchair skills training for young people to get the most out of their wheelchair; fun clubs where young people can meet other wheelchair users and try new activities; and work experience and employability training for young wheelchair users, which aims to improve confidence, aspiration and help young people get into the world of work.

The Founding Patron of the Business Alliance is Barratt Developments, one of the UK’s largest property development companies. Barratt Developments has a long-standing relationship with Whizz-Kidz and has been working with the charity’s Kidz Board, which has consulted on the accessibility of its developments across the UK.

Barratt Developments has also had teams of runners take part in the London Marathon over recent years and in Spring 2020, matched the first £30,000 donated to the charity’s BBC Lifeline Appeal.

David Thomas, CEO at Barratts Developments, said: “We have worked with Whizz-Kidz for a number of years now and each time we interact with them we learn something new, inspiring us to do better.

“We’re supporting the Business Alliance because we have already been lucky enough to see what a valuable contribution Whizz-Kidz and their Kidz Board can make in helping our business to be as welcoming and accommodating as possible to employees, customers and visitors.”

Matt Wynes, Director of Fundraising at Whizz-Kidz, added: “We are very excited to launch the Business Alliance and can’t thank Barratts Developments enough for signing up as a Founding Patron. We know the right equipment and support opens up a world of possibility and helps young people reach their full potential. But there are huge barriers that still hold young wheelchair users back.

“We are determined to break down those barriers that young wheelchair users and their families face in everyday life. But we can’t do it without the help of businesses like Barratts Developments. Together, with more supporters through the Business Alliance, we will strive to make everyday obstacles, the everyday possible.”

Find out more about the Business Alliance on the Whizz-Kidz website