How to apply for equipment grants and loans

Newlife is the largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children and young people with disabilities in the UK, with over 30 years’ experience. We aim to support as many disabled or terminally ill children who need emergency equipment as possible. We do this through either emergency loans or grants.

What is a Loan?
Newlife recognises that some children may require urgent access to specialist equipment, such as beds and buggies, due to changes in their medical, postural, or nursing needs, or for discharge from a hospital or care setting. If available, Newlife can offer a loan of suitable equipment from our loan suite, provided a supporting professional confirms that it meets the child’s specific requirements (an application will still need to be completed). The loan is for a maximum of 6 months, giving statutory services time to arrange long-term provision. If statutory services are unable to supply the equipment long-term, a loan cannot be considered.

Grants
Our equipment grants can improve a child’s health and quality of life, reduce risk of significant injury and pain, as well as support delivery of care – while enabling childhood experiences and encouraging independence. Our grants are suitable for children who require the equipment long term. Beds, buggies, car seats and wheelchairs up to the value of £10,000 are all available to apply for under our grants offering.

To assess your application as quickly as possible, please complete the following steps:

1: Contact our nurses’ helpline

We encourage families and professionals to speak to our nurses before applying for equipment grants and loans. This helps us to identify the best equipment to meet the child’s needs and our nurses can offer additional support and guidance, if required. Our nurses can be contact on 0800 902 0095 or alternatively can be reached via email nurse@newlifecharity.co.uk

2: Browse our catalogue

Our catalogue  lists the equipment that we fund in the four equipment categories: beds, buggies, car seats and wheelchairs. Subject to successful application, Newlife charity may loan or grant equipment up to the value of £10,000. For technical queries, or to discuss specifications, please contact the supplier directly. These details can be found on the individual product pages.

Browse our catalogue

3: Complete our application form

Part A – to be completed by families
Families should complete ‘Part A’ of the application form here.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate, as this could cause a delay in your application.

Part B – to be completed by professionals
Professionals should complete ‘Part B.’ This will automatically be sent to the supporting professional’s email address as part of the ‘Part A’ application process.

Please note that only certain professionals can apply for postural or medical equipment (see below). All supporting professionals must be accredited.

Once both Part A and Part B are completed and submitted, Newlife will process your application. We no longer require supporting letters from professionals as Part B of the application form replaces the need for this.

Professional role breakdown

Below is a breakdown of which professional roles can apply for which pieces of equipment.

Postural/Medical

  • Postural/Medical – Clinical Specialist
  • Postural/Medical – Condition Specific
  • DMD Nurse / Nurse
  • Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist

Behavioural/Neurodiverse

  • Behavioural/Neurodiverse – Clinical Specialist
  • Behavioural/Neurodiverse – Condition Specific
  • DMD Nurse / Nurse
  • Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist
  • Social Worker / Health Visitor