Selling or donating second-hand equipment

You can download this factsheet as a PDF document:
Selling or donating secondhand equipment (85 kb) [pdf]

Please note: This factsheet applies to equipment that you own – not equipment loaned to you by Social Services, the NHS or a charity. Equipment that is not yours should be returned to the organisation concerned.

It is satisfying when an item of equipment finds a new home, rather than lying idle. There are a number of ways to make this happen. Although the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Care Advisors know many people with muscular dystrophy and allied neuromuscular conditions, and will be happy to give advice, they are unable to assume responsibility for second-hand equipment. Care Advisors do not have storage space to keep equipment, have no budget to get equipment serviced or reconditioned and cannot vouch for the safety of second-hand equipment. Most equipment needs to be carefully assessed for the individual person and often it is vital that the equipment is the right size and appropriately modified to meet an individual's needs. This is especially the case with wheelchairs.

To reach a wide audience of potential customers or recipients we suggest that you consider the following options:

Contents:


The Disability Equipment Register (DER)

The DER is a website specially designed as a market place for used equipment. You can subscribe at a modest cost to advertise equipment you wish to sell. For more information contact:

Tel: 01454 318818
Website: www.disabreg.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Accessible Trader

Accessible Trader is an online trading place for second-hand equipment, including wheelchairs, cars and vans. Its website address is: www.accessibletrader.co.uk

Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)

The Disabled Living Foundation is a charity that advises on equipment issues. It produces a factsheet on selling second-hand equipment. It also has a forum on its website where you can advertise second-hand equipment you wish to sell or donate. You can contact the DLF at:

DLF
380-384 Harrow Road
London
W9 2HU
Helpline: 0845 130 9177
Website: www.dlf.org.uk

Target md

Target md, the quarterly magazine of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, carries classified advertisements free of charge for members. To advertise send your text to:

The Editor
Target md
Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
61 Southwark Street
London SE1 0HL
Tel: 020 7803 4800
Freephone: 0800 652 6352
Email: info@muscular-dystrophy.org
Target md magazine

Disability Now and other media

Disability Now is the monthly magazine of Scope, the national charity for people with cerebral palsy. It charges a small fee for placing classified advertisements. You can contact Scope at:

Scope
6 Market Place
London
N7 9PW
Tel: 020 7619 7100
Website: www.scope.org.uk

You can also advertise in other magazines written for disabled people (see your local library for details) or in the local newspapers.

Message board on the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s website

You can write a message indicating your wish to sell or donate equipment on the Community pages on the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s website: Community boards

Support Groups and Branch/Regional networks

If you are in touch with a Branch or support group they may know of someone in need of the equipment. The Regional Fundraising Managers of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign may also be willing to advertise the equipment in their newsletters but, like the Care Advisors, they are unable to become more involved than this. You can obtain details of your nearest Regional Fundraising Manager from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on 020 7803 4800 or freephone: 0800 652 6352 or by emailing info@muscular-dystrophy.org

Commercial Firms

Sometimes firms are willing to buy back second-hand equipment. This is often the case with items such as stair lifts, which can be reconditioned and sold on. Contact your original supplier to see if this is an option.