Rebuilding Lives Through Sport

SIA is inviting wheelchair sports clubs and organisations from across the UK to apply for funding from the Rebuilding Lives Through Sport programme. Over a two-year period, we aim to distribute approximately £500,000 in grants to organisations that are actively promoting and encouraging participation in wheelchair sports.

The programme has been established with the help of Norwich Union and the Peter Harrison Foundation and has the aim of distributing approximately £500,000 in grants to organisations that actively promote and encourage participation of wheelchair users in sport. Funding is available for all projects that meet the criteria and not just to those organisations with spinal cord injured users and members.

We can offer grants ranging from £1,000 to £50,000, which can be used for any purpose as long as there is a clear need for the project and that all recipient projects have obtained backing from the relevant governing body. Although grants cannot be awarded to individuals, funding can be made available to organisations where there is only one wheelchair user. However, with the focus of the programme being very much on the promotion and development of wheelchair sport, applicants should clearly demonstrate a commitment to increased involvement.

Any organisation or club that provides opportunities for participation in the following sports is eligible to apply, although we would especially welcome applications from those that are highlighted.

Some examples of projects we have funded:

• WheelPower – To fund the Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, providing an opportunity for young people aged 11 to 18 years of age to participate in a range of sports. The event also provides an opportunity for governing bodies to introduce their sports to young people.

• Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club - To fund taster sessions at local leisure centres conducted over a two-year period.

• The Back-Up Trust – To fund an annual sailing course that offers spinal cord injured people with an opportunity to participate in the sport.  

• British Disabled Fencing Association (BDFA) – To fund four wheelchair fencing frames that are integral to the talent ID and development plan that the BDFA is in the process of implementing. 

If you have a project that fulfils the Rebuilding Lives Through Sport criteria and would like to apply, then please download an application form via the link below and return it completed to n.johnson@spinal.co.uk.

Download Application Form - PDF

Alternatively you can post the form to us at the following address: 

Deadlines for receipt of applications are as follows:

If you would like any further advice or have any questions regarding the Rebuilding Lives Through Sport programme, please call 0845 678 6633 or alternatively email us at the address above.