Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has shown support to local dementia charity, Dementia Matters, by donating surplus wheelchairs that will ensure the provision of safe care and treatment across their residential and day care services. 
The donation of the 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. Their goal is to provide a voice for those living with dementia and to provide family-centred services for those who need support. As well as supporting those living with dementia, the charity also provides specialist care, support and advice to those living with other neurological disorders, such as acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. The charity has a respite and residential care unit at The Bradbury Centre in Brunswick Village as well as a day service.
Talking of her delight for the donation of the wheelchairs, Bev Reid, Director of Partnerships and Development said; “We are delighted to have received the kind donation of wheelchairs which are essential to ensure the safety and wellbeing 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 help us to continue to provide much-needed essential services and continue to give a message of hope to our wonderful families and staff.
The wheelchairs were being stored at the Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub which is located in Seaton Delaval and were delivered to Dementia Matters on Thursday 11 July.
Ian Garrett, general manager at the Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub which is part of Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management said; “We were thrilled that we could donate these wheelchairs to Dementia Matters. 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 donation of the wheelchairs contributes towards the trust’s Community Promise which is a pledge to focus on all the ways it can improve people’s lives by pushing the boundaries of what an NHS trust can be.
The trust also vowed to work more closely with local charities at their recent engagement event with organisations from the voluntary and community sector.
Media contact
Emily Lavin, marketing and communications officer
emily.lavin@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk