Whizz Kidz Community Change Fund Empowering Young Wheelchair Users to Lead Community Change

With the support of the Kentown Wizard Foundation, Whizz Kidz, the UK's leading charity for young wheelchair users, is proud to announce the continuation of its Community Change Fund, which provides grants of up to £1,000 to projects designed and delivered by young wheelchair users. These projects allow young people to work with their local communities, acquire valuable skills like project and budget management, and experience the joy of creating meaningful change. The initiative encourages collaboration with community groups such as schools, sports clubs, Guides, Scouts, or youth clubs, promoting mobility, inclusion, and empowerment for young wheelchair users.

Seeking to expand its offerings, Alleyn Court Preparatory School in Southend-on-Sea, applied to Whizz Kidz Community Change Fund with the goal of expanding their programme of activities, planning to run an eight-week programme of inclusive sports activities where pupils would use only their upper body. By focusing exclusively on upper-body activities, the programme aimed to create a level playing field where students of all abilities could compete and learn together. The school has been at the forefront of creating an inclusive sports environment for students with disabilities for over five years. The school’s efforts include running a daily gym trail for students with motor skill difficulties and a weekly Panathlon Club, enabling students with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) to enjoy adapted sports.

With the funding, the school purchased equipment such as wooden dollies, paddles, low-level basketball nets, and other upper-body sports tools. Students engaged in activities including:

• Seated volleyball
• Wheelchair benchball
• Bowling
• Table cricket
• Wheelchair basketball

The programme's results were transformative. Students demonstrated exceptional teamwork, empathy, and positivity, with all participants gaining a deeper understanding of mobility challenges. The initiative particularly benefitted the school’s young wheelchair user, enabling greater participation and fostering inclusion within the group.

The programme’s success has laid the groundwork for the school to expand its inclusive sports provision. The weekly Panathlon Club now offers more comprehensive activities, and the school is considering participation in Panathlon competitions and table cricket leagues.

Karen Montellier, Sport Coach Learning Support Assistant from Alleyn Court Preparatory School said:

"The activities themselves went down a storm and the pupils loved them. They were a lot of fun and different to the school's usual offering. Pupils showed excellent team skills, empathy, positivity, wisdom and a responsible attitude. Several pupils went the 'extra mile' and really stood out with supporting and encouraging other peers. Pupils that usually shy away from physical challenged enjoyed the programme. All pupils communicated a greater understanding of the challenges that others face, if they have mobility difficulties."

They added:

"We hope that the opportunity to push through fears and barriers ignited a longer term passion for competitive sports and fitness, and break down perceived barriers."

“At Whizz Kidz, we believe in the power of young wheelchair users to lead the way in creating inclusive, vibrant communities,” said Sarah Pugh Chief Executive at Whizz Kidz. “Through the Community Change Fund, we’re not just supporting projects – we’re empowering young people to develop skills, build confidence, and show the world the incredible impact they can have when given the opportunity. These initiatives are a testament to the potential for change when communities come together to embrace diversity and inclusivity. Together, we can create more inclusive, supportive communities where every young person has the opportunity to thrive."

The Whizz Kidz Community Change Fund continues to inspire and enable young wheelchair users to lead projects that make a real difference in their local communities. To learn more about how to apply, visit Whizz Kidz's website.

ENDS

For Media enquiries, please contact Senior Media & PR Manager Andie Hill at a.hill@whizz-kidz.org.uk 07776956062

For more information, visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk  

Follow @WhizzKidz on X and Facebook // @whizzkidzuk on Instagram // Whizz-Kidz on LinkedIn

About Whizz Kidz

As the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, we empower young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support and confidence-building experiences they need, and campaigning for a more inclusive society. Our vision is a society in which every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included.

About young wheelchair users in the UK:

• An estimated 75,000 young people in the UK need a wheelchair to be mobile.
• Most young people aren’t getting a wheelchair that fully meets their needs through local services
• For a young person, having the wrong wheelchair can lead to dependence on others, social isolation, poor mental health, pain and injury.
• Without the ability to be independent young wheelchair users are restricted in their ability to socialise and participate in society.