The Wheelchair Collective aims to be the first national consultative group made up of representatives with lived experience.
Backed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Injured Players Foundation, the national council will bring together wheelchair ambassadors from every UK nation and region to influence service design, delivery and policy at the highest levels.
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Nick Goldup, chief executive of the Wheelchair Alliance, said: “Currently there is no unified structure that represents wheelchair users’ collective interests nationally.
“As a result, this has led to fragmented service provision and a post code lottery. Therefore, we are incredibly grateful for the funding received by the RFU IPF which has enabled us to launch the first national wheelchair user council.”
The Wheelchair Collective will serve as a consultative and advisory body to the Wheelchair Alliance.
It will appoint regional representatives to act as liaisons between local communities, organisations and the national council.
These representatives will bring forward the priorities, experiences and challenges of wheelchair users from their areas to help shape UK-wide strategy.
The council will also include a youth leader and chair.
Participants will be asked to serve two to three-year terms and attend quarterly virtual meetings as well as one national in-person event each year.
Recruitment is now open for voluntary representatives across all UK regions, including the Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire, East of England, South East, South West, London, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Mr Goldup said: “The Wheelchair Collective will play a vital role in informing the highest levels of Government and NHS England and shaping wheelchair provision services to the benefit of wheelchair users nationwide.
“If you are a wheelchair user who is actively involved in a local, regional, or national group representing disabled people, wheelchair users, or related lived-experience networks, then I would urge you to consider applying.”
Applications close on Friday February 6, 2026. More information and application details can be found online at www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchaircollective.
