Hire or rent a wheelchair

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Find out about hiring a wheelchair for short term use, near to where you live.

Need to hire a wheelchair? The British Red Cross provides a UK wide wheelchair hire service. We offer comfortable, safe and reliable manual wheelchairs whether you’re looking for self-propelled, transit or bariatric (wider seating, higher weight capacity) wheelchairs.

Find out more information about the types of wheelchairs we offer and how to use them.

The wheelchairs are suitable for anyone over the age of 5 and are available in a wide range of sizes, with fitted footrests as standard and free accessories such as leg elevators, cushions and stump supports available to improve your comfort*.

*subject to availability

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Not all locations are available to book online. Find the location, opening times, and contact details of all our local mobility aids services in the UK, below.

Wheelchairs are available for collection at sites across the UK, including select Tesco carparks.

Find your nearest service

The British Red Cross is the largest national provider of short-term wheelchairs in the UK, supplying over 58,000 wheelchairs every year. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone who needs a temporary wheelchair has access to one and have been providing this service for over 107 years.

Wheelchair hires allow us to support those most in need and provide wheelchairs to them at no cost. We are non-profit making, and every penny of surplus income supports people in the UK who need our help.

We are a volunteer led organisation – by hiring your wheelchair from us you will help provide experience and opportunities for people, preventing them from feeling lonely and isolated.

The wheelchair you choose must be right for your needs. Find out more about the different types of wheelchairs we offer, learn how to use them, and how to fit wheelchair accessories with our guides.

> Learn to use a wheelchair

We offer assistance and support to those who may not be able to meet the financial costs.

If you need assistance, have a question about your booking, need your wheelchair for longer, or if your equipment becomes damaged, please call us on 0300 456 1914.

In Wales, parts of East Anglia, Northern Ireland, Hampshire and Avon & Wiltshire, health commissioners fund our service and local residents can borrow mobility aids equipment for short-term use at no cost.

We work in partnership with the NHS by providing wheelchairs to help people leave hospital and recover in the comfort of their own homes.In these instances, we rely on our users to make a donation towards the cost of the service.

Terms and conditions (PDF).

Want to make a big difference to your community? Here are 5 reasons why you should become a wheelchair volunteer.

When it comes to getting active with a health condition, even small steps can help you to enjoy the little things in life. We are proud to be part of the We Are Undefeatable campaign, in partnership with 14 other healthcare charities helping people living with health conditions to be active.

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Find a range of practical products to help manage everyday tasks, plus useful first aid supplies and manuals.

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