If you or someone you know has difficulty walking or getting around (mobility), a wheelchair, scooter or walking aid might help.
Walking sticks
You can use a walking stick to give you extra support and help you balance. It can give you confidence and make walking less painful.
How to get a walking stick
You can borrow some types of walking sticks from the NHS. Speak to a GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff. You might have to pay a small deposit.
You can buy walking sticks online or from mobility shops. Search online for mobility shops in your area. Prices range from £5 to £30.
Choosing a walking stick
There are different types of walking sticks.
You should think about:
- making sure the stick is the correct height for you (ask for advice when you get your walking stick)
- whether you need one that stands up by itself (some have 3 or 4 feet)
- whether you need the stick to be right-handed or left-handed
- whether you need a seat so you can rest
- whether you need a stick to go up steps (you should speak to a physiotherapist for advice)
Contact your GP surgery about how to get an appointment with a physiotherapist.
Walking frames (Zimmer frames or rollators)
A walking frame gives you more support than walking sticks. You can use them to get around your home or to get out and about.
How to get a walking frame
You can borrow a walking frame from the NHS. Speak to a GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff. You might have to pay a deposit.
You can buy walking frames online, or search online for mobility shops in your area. Prices range from £40 to £200.
Choosing a walking frame
There are different types of walking frames.
You should think about:
- making sure it’s the correct height for you (ask hospital staff or a mobility shop for advice)
- whether you want to only use it indoors (frames without wheels are best)
- whether you’re strong enough to lift a frame without wheels
- whether you want to get out and about (frames with wheels are better for outdoors)
- whether you need a seat, basket or tray attached
- whether you need to fold it to get it into a car
Which? has more advice on buying the best walking stick, walking frame or rollator
Wheelchairs
You can use a wheelchair if you struggle to walk or you’re disabled. You can go into and around many shops and buildings in a wheelchair.
How to get a wheelchair
There are several ways you can get a wheelchair. Depending on your individual circumstances you may need to pay towards the costs.
Getting an NHS wheelchair
Ask a GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff to refer you to your local wheelchair service for an assessment. You’ll need to do this before you can get an NHS wheelchair.
The local wheelchair service will decide if you need a wheelchair and, if so, what type.
You might be able to get a voucher. This allows you to pay towards the cost of a different type of wheelchair.
Self-refer for wheelchair help
You might be able to refer yourself directly to a wheelchair service without seeing a GP.
To find out if this is possible in your area:
- contact your local wheelchair service
- contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
- search online for NHS wheelchair services near you
Borrowing a wheelchair
You can sometimes borrow an NHS wheelchair for a short while (for example, after an operation).
Red Cross branches often hire wheelchairs on a weekly basis.
Read more about hiring a wheelchair from the Red Cross.
Some shopping centres have a Shopmobility scheme, where you can borrow a wheelchair while you’re shopping. This is usually free.
Buying a wheelchair
Search online for local mobility shops. Wheelchairs range in price from £150 to more than £1,000.
Help with costs
The Motability Scheme can help if you want to hire or buy an electric wheelchair. It allows some people to use their benefits to pay for a wheelchair.
A personal wheelchair budget scheme has been introduced in England. Your local integrated care board (ICB) should be able to provide more information on provision in your area.
Choosing a wheelchair
You can get manual or electric wheelchairs.
When you’re looking at wheelchairs, think about:
- whether you’re going to be pushing yourself or pushed by someone else
- how often you need to use it
- whether you need to use it indoors or outdoors, or both
- whether it needs to go into a care home
- how comfortable it is
- how much it costs to maintain and repair
Ask to try different types of wheelchairs before you make your decision.
Which? has advice on choosing the right wheelchair
Mobility scooters
Mobility scooters can be useful if you struggle to walk or are disabled, need to travel long distances, and are able to get on and off a mobility scooter easily.
How to get a scooter
Mobility scooters are not generally available on the NHS.
Buying a mobility scooter
Search online for local mobility shops. Mobility scooters range in price from £500 to more than £5,000.
Get help with costs
You might be able to get a grant or help from a charity.
Better Mobility has a list of charities that can help pay towards a scooter
The Motability Scheme can help if you want to hire or buy a mobility scooter. It allows some people to use their benefits to pay for one.
Choosing a scooter
You should think about:
- how often you need to use a scooter
- what you need it for (roads or pavements)
- whether it needs to go in a car
- where you’ll store your scooter
- how much it costs to maintain and repair
- whether you’ll be able to steer it (some have special levers to steer them if you have arthritis in your hands)
Ask to try different types before you make your decision.
