Published 9 July 2026
People living with muscle wasting conditions can now apply for help with the cost of essential home equipment, after Muscular Dystrophy UK launched a new Home Equipment Grant Fund. As reported by THIIS Magazine, the fund covers equipment ranging from stairlifts and bathroom aids to pressure relief cushions and food preparation tools, and importantly the grants are not means-tested.
The scheme is designed to step in where statutory services such as the NHS or local authorities are unable to meet an individual’s equipment needs. That gap is a familiar frustration for many families, particularly where waiting times are long or where a specific piece of equipment falls outside what local services will fund. The charity says access to the right equipment can be life-changing, helping people stay independent for longer and easing the daily challenges of living with a neuromuscular condition.
Grants range from around £100 for smaller items such as raised toilet seats, up to £4,000 for larger equipment including profiling beds and specialist Closomat toilets. The fund can also contribute towards riser recliner chairs, transfer aids, wheelchair ramps, stairlifts and bathroom equipment. The amount awarded depends on the type of equipment required, the funding available and demand for the scheme.
For anyone considering a stairlift, the fund could make a meaningful difference to affordability. A straight stairlift typically starts from a few thousand pounds, with curved models costing more, as set out in our guide to stairlift costs. A non-means-tested grant of up to £4,000 could cover a significant share of that outlay, or sit alongside other funding such as the Disabled Facilities Grant.
The new grants are made possible by the Property Impact Fund, which is supported by events including the Microscope Ball organised by members of the commercial property industry. That partnership between the property sector and Muscular Dystrophy UK dates back to 1983 and has raised more than £8 million to support people living with muscle wasting conditions. Michelle Anthony, Chair of the Microscope Ball Committee, said the effort began with one father’s determination to make a difference after his son’s diagnosis, and has since grown into an industry-wide commitment.
Charity grants like this often move faster than statutory routes, which can take months, so they are worth exploring for families who need equipment sooner. It is still sensible to check what statutory help you may qualify for first. Our guides to daily living aids and bathroom mobility explain the equipment options, and applicants can ask an occupational therapist to recommend the most suitable products.
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Published 9 July 2026
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