Finding funding for a mobility scooter can feel overwhelming, but there’s help available. This comprehensive guide covers charities, grants, and support organisations across the UK that can help you access the mobility equipment you need to maintain your independence.
Major National Charities
Motability Foundation
The Foundation provides grants to individuals to help with the costs of mobility solutions outside the Motability Scheme, such as wheelchairs and adapted vehicles. Whilst the Motability Scheme leases scooters, the Foundation is the charity that offers financial assistance towards access to mobility for disabled people, promoting independence.
Grants for mobility support (including Motability Scheme-related costs)
Contact: 0800 500 3186 (Charitable Grants), 8am–6pm Mon–Fri
Mobility Trust
This charity aims to provide specialised mobility equipment, including powered wheelchairs and scooters, to UK residents with severe disabilities who cannot obtain them through statutory means. They fund an Occupational Therapist assessment to ensure the equipment is correct and provide initial insurance and servicing.
Free provision of powered wheelchairs and scooters
Contact: 0118 984 2588 or email: mobility@mobilitytrust.org.uk
Age UK
As the leading charity for older people, Age UK offers advice and support on a wide range of issues, including mobility aids and funding options. Whilst they don’t directly supply scooters, their local branches often provide advice on accessing local services like Shopmobility or finding grants.
Information, advice, and services for older people (including mobility help)
Contact: 0800 678 1602 (Free advice line), 8am–7pm daily
Turn2us
Turn2us is a national charity that helps people access benefits, grants, and financial support. Their online Grants Search tool can be vital for users looking for charitable funds that may contribute towards the cost of a mobility scooter or other essential disability equipment.
Financial help, grants search, and welfare benefits advice
Contact: Use their online benefits and grants search tool
Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children
Newlife provides equipment grants for disabled and terminally ill children across the UK, covering a range of items including specialist buggies, wheelchairs, and sometimes mobility scooters for young users. They also offer emergency equipment loans and play therapy pods.
Specialist equipment for disabled children
Contact: 0800 902 0095 (Child & Family Support team) or email: info@newlifecharity.co.uk
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) – Government Initiative
Although not a charity, the DFG is a crucial source of funding. It’s a local council grant for disabled people needing to make essential adaptations to their home. Whilst primarily for things like ramps or stairlifts, it can occasionally cover associated mobility access costs.
Funding for essential home adaptations for disabled people
Contact: Apply via your local council’s housing or environmental health department
Shopmobility UK (National Federation of Shopmobility)
Shopmobility centres across the UK provide short-term loan or hire of mobility scooters and wheelchairs to people with limited mobility. This is perfect for shopping trips, leisure, and accessing town centres. They offer a simple, low-cost way to maintain independence outdoors.
Short-term hire of mobility scooters and wheelchairs in town centres
Contact: Search online for your local Shopmobility centre
British Red Cross
The Red Cross often provides mobility aids on a short-term loan basis, typically for those recovering from an injury or illness. Whilst they focus mainly on wheelchairs and other living aids, they are a vital resource for temporary mobility support, often free of charge for a limited period.
Short-term loans of mobility aids (primarily wheelchairs)
Contact: Search online for their ‘Mobility Aids’ service in your local area
Scope
Scope is a pan-disability charity campaigning for a fairer society. They offer a free disability information and advice service that can guide users on everything from benefits and financial support to finding the right local mobility service or grant provider.
Information, advice, and campaigning for disability equality
Contact: 0808 800 3333 (Helpline) or email: helpline@scope.org.uk
Canine Partners
This charity trains assistance dogs to help people with physical disabilities. Whilst not directly about scooters, they fundamentally enhance mobility and independence. Their dogs perform tasks that help disabled individuals manage their daily lives, often in tandem with or as an alternative to mobility equipment.
Training assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities
Contact: 01730 716 000 or email: info@caninepartners.org.uk
Condition-Specific Charities
Family Fund
Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under. They offer grants for a wide range of essential items, including mobility equipment like scooters, to help ease the financial pressures on low-income families.
Grants for families with disabled children (age 17 or under)
Contact: 01904 550055 or visit: familyfund.org.uk
MS Society
The MS Society offers grants to people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to help pay for items that can make daily life easier, which often includes mobility scooters or adaptations. Their grants can significantly enhance the independence and quality of life for those living with the condition.
Grants for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or their carers
Contact: 0808 800 8000 (MS Helpline) or visit: mssociety.org.uk
Parkinson’s UK
Parkinson’s UK offers grants of up to £1,500 for people with Parkinson’s (or their carers) to fund equipment, home adaptations, or specialist services. This may include contributions towards the cost of a mobility scooter to help maintain independence and prevent social isolation.
Financial grants for people with Parkinson’s or their carers
Contact: 0808 800 0303 (Helpline) or visit: parkinsons.org.uk
Aspire (for Spinal Cord Injuries)
Aspire provides practical help and support for people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury. They offer grants and support through their ‘Your Fund’ to help with the purchase of essential or specialist equipment, including mobility scooters and bespoke wheelchairs.
Support and grants for people with Spinal Cord Injuries
Contact: 020 8420 8960 or visit: aspire.org.uk
Armed Forces Charities
SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity)
SSAFA provides support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families. They offer financial help towards disability support, often assisting with the costs of mobility scooters and equipment to ensure ex-servicemen and women maintain their independence and quality of life.
Financial and practical support for the Armed Forces community
Contact: 0800 731 4880 or visit: ssafa.org.uk
RAF Benevolent Fund
The RAF Benevolent Fund offers support to serving and former RAF personnel and their families. They can help with mobility needs, including funding towards the advance payment of a Motability vehicle/scooter or direct help with buying mobility equipment if statutory help is unavailable.
Support for RAF veterans, serving personnel, and their dependants
Contact: 0300 102 1919 (Support Line) or visit: rafbf.org
Blesma (The Limbless Veterans)
Blesma supports serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or loss of use of a limb, an eye, or loss of sight during active duty. They can provide financial assistance towards mobility scooters and other specialist equipment on a case-by-case basis.
Support for limbless veterans
Contact: 0208 548 3516 or email: membergrants@blesma.org
Equipment Grant Charities
The Hospital Saturday Fund
This registered charity offers grants to individuals in the UK and Republic of Ireland with a medical condition or disability. They consider applications for a range of specialised mobility equipment, including partial or full grants for mobility scooters and active wheelchairs (maximum grant £2,000).
Grants for specialised medical equipment and mobility aids
Contact: 020 7202 1365 or email: charity@hsf.eu.com
Children Today Charitable Trust
Children Today aims to provide funding for specialised equipment for children and young people with disabilities up to the age of 25. This includes providing grants for essential mobility equipment like powered wheelchairs, trikes, and walking aids that are not available from statutory services.
Grants for specialised equipment for disabled children and young people (up to age 25)
Contact: 01244 335622 or email: info@childrentoday.org.uk
Trade/Profession-Specific Benevolent Funds
Many former professions have charitable benevolent funds (e.g., The Drinks Trust, ABTA Benevolent Fund, Electrical Industries Charity). If you have an occupational history, these funds may provide one-off or ongoing financial assistance towards essential items like mobility scooters.
Financial grants based on former employment
Contact: Search for the benevolent fund for your specific trade or profession
Local Authority Discretionary Funds (UK-wide)
Whilst difficult to list specifically, many local councils run smaller, discretionary welfare schemes, local trust funds, or can signpost to local benevolent groups (e.g., Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs) that offer one-off grants for disability equipment like mobility scooters to local residents.
Local welfare assistance and signposting to small community grants
Contact: Contact your local council’s welfare or social services department
Additional Smaller Charities
Barchester Healthcare Foundation
Supporting older people and adults with disabilities in England, Wales, and Scotland, this foundation can help with costs of items that enhance mobility, independence, or quality of life. Grants range from £100 to £5,000, and applications must be supported by a third party such as a social worker or healthcare professional.
Equipment grants for older people and disabled adults
Contact: 0800 328 3328 or email: info@bhcfoundation.org.uk
Joseph Patrick Trust
The welfare trust of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, JPT provides financial support towards specialist equipment to help promote mobility and independence for people with muscular dystrophy or a related muscle disease, including powered wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Equipment for people with muscular dystrophy
Contact: Visit the Muscular Dystrophy UK website for application details
Margaret’s Fund
This fund awards grant assistance to women in the UK who are ill. Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, charity workers, and social workers apply on behalf of the women in their care. Grants are available for ‘disability aids’.
Grants for ill women in the UK
Contact: Email: support@margaretsfund.org
Elifar Foundation
The Elifar Foundation funds a wide range of specialised equipment, therapies, and respite for children and adults with profound disabilities, physical disabilities, or learning disabilities. Maximum funding up to £5,000 has been provided for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other equipment.
Equipment and support for people with profound disabilities
Contact: Visit elifar.org.uk for application details
The League of Helping Hand
LHH provides one-off grants for specialist, essential equipment that helps people experiencing illness or disability. Grants up to £250 are possible for wheelchairs and scooters, however applications must be submitted by a third party such as a social worker or healthcare professional.
Small grants for essential equipment
Contact: 01444 236099 or email: secretary@lhh.org.uk
Facebook Support Groups
- Mobility Scooter Club UK – A popular group for general advice and support
- Search Facebook for “UK Mobility Scooter Users” or “Mobility Scooter Advice UK” to find regional and national groups
These groups can be invaluable for getting real-world advice from other users who’ve successfully navigated the funding process. Members often share information about local charities and lesser-known funding sources in their areas.
Tips for Applying
- Be thorough – Provide all requested documentation and supporting letters from healthcare professionals
- Apply to multiple sources – Don’t put all your eggs in one basket; many people receive funding from multiple sources
- Check eligibility carefully – Each charity has specific criteria, so read requirements before applying
- Be patient – Processing times vary, and some charities only review applications at certain times of year
- Ask locally – Contact your local council, Citizens Advice Bureau, or library for information about smaller local funds
- Consider partial funding – If one charity can’t cover the full cost, they may be able to provide partial funding Additional Resources
- Access to Work – Government scheme for disabled people in employment (0800 121 7479)
- Citizens Advice Bureau – For general advice on benefits and funding
- Your local Occupational Therapist – Can provide assessments and recommendations that strengthen applications
Please note: Contact details and eligibility criteria can change. Always verify information directly with the charity before applying. This guide was last updated in January 2026.