--- title: A time to celebrate a decade of achievement description: Wheelchair Alliance celebrates a decade of achievement image: https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance_Nick%20Goldup_10%20year%20newsletter-1.jpg --- [Skip to Content](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/a-time-to-celebrate-a-decade-of-achievement#body) [Donate](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-donate) [![Wheelchair Alliance Logo](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp?width=750&height=227&name=Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp "Wheelchair Alliance Logo")](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk) [Become a Member](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-wheelchair-users-membership-sign-up) [![Wheelchair Alliance Logo](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp?width=750&height=227&name=Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp "Wheelchair Alliance Logo")](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk) Menu - [HOME](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk) - THE ALLIANCE - [THE WHEELCHAIR COLLECTIVE](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchaircollective) - [SUPPORTERS](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-partners) - [ABOUT US](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-about-us) - [REPORTS](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-reports) - [ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/all-partyparliamentarygroup) - [INNOVATION SIG](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/innovation-special-interest-group) - [CONTACT](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-contact) - [ACADEMY](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/academy) - [NEWS](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog) - [Become a Member](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-wheelchair-users-membership-sign-up) - [Donate](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-donate) [Back to blog](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog) # A time to celebrate a decade of achievement 3 min read • Jul 21, 2025, 6:13:01 AM • Written by: The Wheelchair Alliance ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance_Nick%20Goldup_10%20year%20newsletter-1.jpg) As a co-founder of the Alliance, much has happened since it was created back in 2015 and although my role within the Alliance has changed during this time, my commitment to help strengthen the voice of wheelchair users who face significant challenges when it comes to accessing wheelchair services hasn’t. At the start of our journey, we created the Wheelchair Charter, a set of six principles to influence the provision of NHS commissioned and/or tendered out wheelchair and postural seating services, with the aim of helping to ensure all wheelchair users receive the best wheelchair for their assessed needs. Over the last decade our brilliant team have kept the charter at the heart of what we do. Collectively we have driven our growth to represent the voice of 150,000 wheelchair users, launched a new website and membership model, and produced three independent reports, which were funded by the [Motability Foundation](https://www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/). The first report – [An Economic Assessment of Wheelchair Provision in England](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/Wheelchair-economic-study-final-report%20Section%201%20Full%20Report.pdf)– highlighted issues that wheelchair users were experiencing with the provision of wheelchairs, highlighting the variation and underfunding in local services. The second– [The Value of a Wheelchair](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/11225-FE-RPT_Final-Report_211123_descriptions_accessible_MSection%202%20Full%20Report.pdf) – looked at the false economy of providing wheelchairs that are not fit for purpose and the impact, both positive and negative, on individuals and the state. The third and final report of this series, [Wheelchair Provision: How to Drive Effective Change](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/RR_WCA_report_081124_V3.pdf)*,* focused on how we make the change needed to greatly improve wheelchair provision. During this time, we have also launched our manifesto for change to the new government, raised awareness through the media and worked hard to form new partnerships with like-minded individuals and organisations to drive forward change. Our latest efforts involved asking the Government to urgently act on an update to the *Using Mobility Scooters And Powered Wheelchairs guidance* which state that powered wheelchairs over the 150kg weight limit – 200kg if there are medical add-ons – will now be classified as 'not in a class'. Such a change would mean that powered wheelchairs in this category can only be used on the road and wheelchair users of all ages must be registered with the DVLA and have vehicle insurance and a driving licence – including children! There is still much work to do to change the law and guidance but we are steadfast in our approach in achieving a positive outcome that supports and treats all wheelchair users equally – and without discrimination. Indeed, we have already had a number of conversations with the Department of Transport regarding this. However, we can only bring about lasting, positive change through continuing to collaborate with NHS, the Government and other health and social care organisations. And, almost ten years after its inception, funding continues to be a key focus in enabling us to continue carrying out the work we do. Although this provides somewhat of a challenge, at the forefront of our minds continues to be the stories of wheelchair users of all ages, from children and young adults through to the elderly, who have spoken about the challenges they face in wheelchair provision, services, and policies. Wheelchair users are, and will remain, at the forefront of everything that we do, helping to shape the Alliance as we move forward. Helping to shape our decision making is our wheelchair user engagement group who provide us with the invaluable insight needed to push for change. We are determined to ensure that there is further positive change to come and I hope that you will continue with us on our journey as we move forward with our plans to ensure that the voices of wheelchair users are heard loud and clear at the highest levels. A big thank you goes out to all of our supporters, old and new, especially to those that volunteer their time to be part of the growing Alliance family. **Nick Goldup** **Chief executive officer, Wheelchair Alliance** #### Reach the World. Giving Made Easy with Impact. [Get Started](https://www.example.com) ###### The Wheelchair Alliance Our Latest ##### Related Articles ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Tanni%20Grey-Thompson%20and%20Nick%20Goldup%20from%20Wheelchair%20Alliance%20launch%20report%20at%20House%20of%20Lords.jpg?width=700&name=Tanni%20Grey-Thompson%20and%20Nick%20Goldup%20from%20Wheelchair%20Alliance%20launch%20report%20at%20House%20of%20Lords.jpg) ### [Wheelchair Alliance launches third report](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/wheelchair-alliance-launches-third-report) ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0976.jpeg?upscale=true&upscale=true&width=700&name=IMG_0976.jpeg) ### [Autumn 2024 newsletter](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/autumn-2024-newsletter) ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance_TWC_launch.jpg?width=700&name=Wheelchair%20Alliance_TWC_launch.jpg) ### [Wheelchair users sought to create national council that will shape the future of wheelchair provision in the UK](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/wheelchair-users-sought-to-create-national-council-that-will-shape-the-future-of-wheelchair-provision-in-the-uk) - [Home](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/home) - [Wheelchair Users](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-wheelchair-users) - [Commissioners & Providers](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-service-commissioners-providers) - [The Alliance](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-about-us) - [Wheelchair Charter](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-charter) - [Reports](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-reports) - [FAQ's](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-main-faq) - [Supporters](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-partners) - [News](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-contact) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/WheelchairAlliance) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wheelchair-alliance/) **Wheelchair Alliance Community Interest Company | Registered number: 13761260** In November 2021, the Wheelchair Alliance became a Community Interest Company. This is a special type of company which exists to benefit a specific community, namely the community of wheelchair users in England. We took this important step so that we could look for sponsors to help us achieve what we have set out to do in our strategy. All the  Board Members of the Wheelchair Alliance volunteer their time, however we do have to fund things such as your website, some administrative support and project work which gathers evidence helping us lobby for change. There are no shareholders in the company, and should there be any profit it is ploughed back into making a difference for the wheelchair community on a national level. All rights reserved. Disclaimer:  *To support wheelchair users in finding the information they are looking for, The Wheelchair Alliance will at times provide links to websites that we believe may be of interest. The Wheelchair Alliance does not endorse any particular organisation, service or product that may be advertised on third party websites. The Wheelchair Alliance assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of these third party websites.* *Address:  167-169 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PF* *email: admin@wheelchair-alliance.co.uk* [Privacy Policy |](https://144566510.hs-sites-eu1.com/wheelchair-alliance-privacy-policy)[Our Policies](https://144566510.hs-sites-eu1.com/wheelchair-alliance-our-policies) ♥ Made with Care for the Wheelchair Alliance ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "The Wheelchair Alliance", "url" : "https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/author/the-wheelchair-alliance" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-21T10:13:13.154Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-21T10:13:01.000Z", "headline" : "A time to celebrate a decade of achievement", "image" : [ "https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance_Nick%20Goldup_10%20year%20newsletter-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/a-time-to-celebrate-a-decade-of-achievement", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp" }, "name" : "Wheelchair Alliance Community Interest Company" } } ```