Wheels for the World
What is ‘Wheels for the World’?
The World Health Organisation reports 20 - 30 million disabled people need wheelchairs – most of these people will have a lack of hope or of the ability to purchase one. Wheels for the World is the overseas programme of Through the Roof, restoring and distributing refurbished wheelchairs , mostly to people in Africa, giving them increased independence and demonstrating the love of God in a practical way.
Wheels for the World sends old NHS wheelchairs to a workshop in HMP Parkhurst for restoration to almost-new condition. Prisoners find great satisfaction in this work which helps restore their self worth and dignity. The hub of operations is a farm near Salisbury where the wheelchairs are received from the prison and loaded into containers for shipping overseas.
Wheels for the World always sends a distribution team from the UK to fit the wheelchairs to the recipients. Teams consist of volunteers, including qualified physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and wheelchair technicians, working in partnership with in-country Christian organisations.
Please follow the links below to find out more about Wheels for the World:
- Meet the Steering Wheels Team!
- Which countries does Wheels for the World visit?
- Choosing a destination country
- What does a wheelchair distribution involve?
- How can I help Wheels for the World?
- Follow this link to see reports and resources from previous wheels trips, INCLUDING the video of our distribution in South Africa in 2004 (NEW online)
If you would like to promote Wheels for the World with an event at your church, club or workplace, team members are available to talk to groups - please contact us at info@throughtheroof.org
