We are delighted to share the news that Designability is the winner of the Occupational Therapy Excellence Award 2025, Excellence in Charity Sector, for the Wizzybug Loan Scheme.
The Occupational Therapy Excellence Awards seek to reward the charities, practices, companies or organisations that help patients, residents or clients enjoy a better life.
About the Wizzybug Loan Scheme
Founded in 2013, the Wizzybug Loan Scheme has grown from strength to strength, with over 1,500 families benefitting from Wizzybugs. 2024 was a record year with the highest number of Wizzybug handovers to date.
Wizzybugs are specially designed for children aged 14 months upwards who are experiencing difficulties with their ability to walk. This fills a vital gap in providing early years mobility as NHS wheelchairs are often only offered when a child reaches 5 or 6 years old.
For some disabled children, Wizzybug enables the opportunity to experience a sense of independence, freedom and movement, sometimes for the first time in their lives.
When seated in a Wizzybug, children are at the same height as their peers. This makes exploring their environment, joining in with games and activities, and socialising with friends and family, inclusive and beneficial for their development.
The Wizzybug Loan Scheme doesn’t receive any statutory funding and is fully funded by voluntary donations.