New grant fund to help people with muscle wasting conditions access vital home equipment
Muscular Dystrophy UK has launched a new grant fund to help people living with a muscle wasting condition live safely and independently at home.
The new Home Equipment Grant Fund will cover the cost of buying equipment when statutory services are unable to help. Grants are not means-tested, and cover everything from stairlifts and toilets to pressure relief cushions and food preparation aids.
People living with muscle wasting and neuromuscular conditions across the UK can now apply for the grants to fund specialist equipment that supports greater independence, comfort and safety at home.
The Home Equipment Grant Fund is designed to help where statutory services such as the NHS or local authorities are unable to meet an individual’s equipment needs.
The charity says access to the right equipment can be life-changing, enabling people to remain independent for longer and reducing the challenges of everyday living.
The fund can contribute towards a variety of practical items used in the home, including profiling beds, riser recliner chairs, transfer aids, wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, bathroom equipment.
Grants ranging from around £100 for smaller items such as raised toilet seats up to £4,000 for larger equipment including specialist beds and Closomat toilets. The amount awarded depends on the type of equipment required, available funding and demand for the scheme.
The new grants are possible thanks to the Property Impact Fund, which is supported by several events, including the Microscope Ball, organised and attended by members of the commercial property industry.
Michelle Anthony, Trustee and Chair of the Microscope Ball Committee, said: “The partnership between the property industry and Muscular Dystrophy UK began in 1983 with one father’s determination to make a difference.
“Following his son’s diagnosis with muscular dystrophy, he brought together colleagues and industry contacts to raise funds for research and support. More than four decades later, that single act of generosity has grown into an extraordinary industry-wide commitment, with over £8 million raised to support people living with muscle wasting conditions.
“It is a privilege to be part of the Microscope Ball Committee and to help continue this remarkable legacy. While significant progress has been made, there is still much more to do. Muscular Dystrophy UK is committed to reaching more people, providing vital support, and accelerating research that can transform lives—and that requires the continued backing of our industry.”
