1 Introduction The British Red Cross helps millions Working with politicians, policymakers of people in the UK and around the and the public, we can improve the world to prepare for, respond to and humanitarian situation of people, recover from emergencies, disasters families and communities in the UK and conflicts. Our volunteers and and around the world. staff help people to live independently by providing support at home, transport, and mobility aids that The Red Cross has a include short-term wheelchair loans. We also teach first aid skills humanitarian vision: and support asylum seekers and “Everyone who needs refugees in the UK. a wheelchair should be We are committed to speaking up entitled to quickly and for and improving the lives of people easily get one that is right in crisis and we have provided health for them, for as long as and social care services for more than a century. Our operational they need it. Everyone experience enables us to pursue who uses or handles a focused advocacy that is backed wheelchair should know by evidence, in order to bring about how to do so safely and changes in policy and practice at comfortably.” the national, local and international levels. 1