Meet Sarah Wallace: 27 Years of Changing Lives at Whizz Kidz

At Whizz Kidz, we’re proud to have some of the most passionate and dedicated people on our team – and no one embodies that spirit more than Sarah Wallace, our longest-serving employee. For an incredible 27 years, Sarah has worked tirelessly to support young wheelchair users across the UK, ensuring they receive the life-changing mobility equipment they need.

We sat down with Sarah for a quick chat about her journey, the moments that have stayed with her, and what still drives her after nearly three decades.

Tell us a little about your role at Whizz Kidz.

I’m the Clinician Manager, which means I oversee our wheelchair clinics that run all across the UK. In each clinic, our amazing team of therapists and engineers work with young people and their families to assess, select and fit the right wheelchair – equipment that meets both their physical and personal needs.

What do you love most about your job?

Doing assessments at clinic sessions – without a doubt. There’s nothing like seeing a child realise for the first time that theycan move the wheelchair on their own. The pure joy on their faces, and often the tears of happiness from parents… it’s a privilege to witness those moments.

Do you have a favourite memory from one of your clinic sessions?

Too many to count! There’s Peter, who cheekily drove over the daffodils after being told not to. Or Penelope, who moved herself for the very first time – it was like watching a toddler take their first step.

Then there are the little ones like Jake, Austin, Eliza, Milo, and Delilah – they arrive shy and tucked into their parents’ arms. And then we pop them into a tiny wheelchair, and something just clicks. Next thing you know, they’re zipping around the room and down the corridors, sometimes almost out the front door!

It’s incredible to watch their confidence grow – and how that spark impacts everything else, from speech development to making friends.

What’s the biggest challenge you face right now?

Funding. We have a very long waiting list, and many children have already been assessed – we know what they need – but they’re waiting for funding to become available. My role includes the very difficult task of prioritising which cases can be funded within our limited budget. It’s a constant challenge when every single child deserves that support.

If you could change one thing in society for young wheelchair users, what would it be?

The way people see them. Too often, people focus on the wheelchair and not the person. But our young people are just like everyone else – some are brilliant at science, others are performers or comedians. Everyone is good at something, and they deserve to be supported in discovering and developing that talent. Don’t just put them in a box labelled “wheelchair user.”

Any final thoughts?

The right wheelchair is essential – not just helpful – for a child’s development and independence. Unfortunately, NHS funding often doesn’t stretch far enough to cover the high-quality, adaptable equipment children need, especially as they grow. That’s why the work we do at Whizz Kidz is so crucial. We’re not just giving children mobility – we’re giving them freedom, opportunity, and the chance to thrive.

Thank you, Sarah, for your unwavering dedication and the incredible impact you’ve made in so many young lives.