Accessible Clothing Project Receives Funding Boost

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People living with disabilities and age-related mobility challenges will be able to enjoy improved independence thanks to a project that adapts everyday clothing to meet their individual needs.

Sharon Tombs and the team at Dressability are expanding their Mobility Matters project, helping more people stay comfortable and confident in the clothes they choose to wear.

Based in Wiltshire, Dressability is a specialist garment adaptation charity that works with disabled and older people throughout the UK. Its skilled dressmakers make custom alterations that help clients dress more independently, move safely and maintain their own personal style without compromising comfort while using mobility aids.

The Mobility Matters project focuses on removing the barriers that standard clothing can create, such as trip hazards or loose pieces catching on wheelchairs, that most of us never need to think about.

The adaptations made by Sharon and her colleagues range from replacing fiddly fastenings such as shirt buttons with magnetic alternatives, adjusting garments for wheelchair users, accommodating spinal curvature and reinforcing clothing for children who achieve mobility through crawling.

By tailoring garments to meet individual mobility needs, the charity helps people reduce reliance on others and remain active in everyday life. The service also supports dignity, choice and self-esteem, ensuring that functionality does not come at the expense of personal identity and style.

The project has received a £2,490 donation from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, the charitable branch of the UK’s largest manufacturer and seller of wheelchair accessible vehicles, Allied Mobility.

The funding will help Dressability to adapt more than 30 garments for people who need them, and continue delivering its specialist service to people whose quality of life can be improved through carefully considered clothing adaptations.

Sharon Tombs, General Manager at Dressability, said:

"A huge thank you to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for their donation. We are entirely reliant on the support of organisations such as these to deliver this valuable service."

"We will use the money carefully and effectively as part of our Mobility Matters project, enabling us to alter many more garments."

Ben Jenkins, National Sales Manager at Allied Mobility, said:

"At Allied Mobility, we supply wheelchair accessible vehicles to customers across the UK and we understand how important independence and personal choice are to people's daily lives."

"Style and comfort needn’t be given up in the name of accessibility. We are delighted to support Dressability’s Mobility Matters project as it helps bridge the gap, ensuring more people can wear the clothes they love while maintaining comfort and dignity."

The funding will help ensure more people can access clothing adapted to their personal needs, allowing them to move more freely, maintain their own individual style and enjoy greater confidence in everyday life.

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Jul 28, 2025

2 min read

Support Dogs, the charity based in Sheffield, trains and supports specialist assistance dogs for people with epilepsy, autism, and physical disabilities. They've received a £15,000 grant from The Health Lottery Foundation, made possible by players of The Health Lottery.

The funding, awarded by The Health Lottery Foundation will go towards the salary of an instructor delivering the charity’s Disability Assistance Programme — supporting up to ten families across the UK each year. This programme helps adults living with long-term, physically disabling conditions such as MS, Cerebral Palsy, Fibromyalgia, and spinal cord injuries. Support Dogs are trained to carry out practical and personal care tasks, providing 24/7 support and significantly improving safety, independence, and quality of life for clients and their families.

Martin Ellice, CEO of The Health Lottery, said: “This is exactly the kind of work The Health Lottery Foundation is here to support. These support dogs do more than just help people physically — they offer dignity, independence and peace of mind. The impact ripples out across entire families, giving loved ones the chance to return to work or education. We’re proud to help make that possible.”

Delva Patman, CEO of The Health Lottery Foundation, added: “Support Dogs’ work is practical, effective and has real impact.. We’re pleased to help them continue delivering this support to families who need it.”

The instructor funded by the grant will assess and train new partnerships between dogs and clients, offering six months of follow-up support to help those partnerships thrive. With many training sessions taking place in clients’ homes, the grant will also contribute to the cost of a dedicated vehicle to help reach families nationwide.

Support Dogs provides all services free of charge. Currently, 100% of service users report reduced care needs and improved independence. Two-thirds are now working or in education. And 80% say family members have been able to take on paid work instead of full-time caring responsibilities.

Rita Howson, CEO of Support Dogs, said: ““Our dogs are trained to provide 24/7 care and potentially lifesaving support for people living with a wide range of physical disabilities, including conditions such as MS and Cerebral Palsy."

"They not only provide incredible care, but also freedom, enabling service users and their families to be more active and live more independently. We’re grateful for this funding and excited to continue growing our reach.”

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Accessible Clothing Project Receives Funding Boost

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