Variety’s Impact Report 2025 showcases how the charity’s Wheelchair and Specialist Equipment grants, Sunshine Coaches, Great Days Out and Access Interns programmes are making an immediate and lasting impact on families who face multiple challenges, not least extreme financial stress.

On average, families with a disabled child spend three times more than families with non-disabled children on specialist products, services, accessible transport and utilities, amounting to approximately £1,095 extra each month. While NHS-funded equipment should be available, the system is overstretched, leaving thousands of children falling behind.

Variety’s impact ranges from helping improve children’s physical and mental health to increasing independence and mobility, to opening up new opportunities and experiences.

In 2025, Variety supported more than 20,350 children and young people through 855 grants. A representative sample of 64 children and young people across all core programmes were interviewed against six outcome indicators to measure the impact of Variety’s support, with 71% rating impact as very great or great.

Standout figures from the Sunshine Coach programme reported 100% improvement in Social connections to a great or very great extent and 96% improvement in Health and wellbeing.

I can use the word impactful, but it’s immeasurable, what this does for our children. They can become part of society, instead of just sitting on the periphery of it.” – Sunshine Coach beneficiary.

Variety Golf celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025 with an outstanding contribution of 43 coaches to the Sunshine Coach programme, continuing its role as the cornerstone funder of Variety’s flagship programme.

Sports wheelchairs accounted for nearly a third of all wheelchair grants in 2025, demonstrating significant demand for equipment that enables participation in sport. The majority went to young people aged 11–19, reflecting the particular importance of mobility during adolescence.

In 2025, Variety also worked with The Family Fund to promote our Specialist Equipment programme through its network, helping us to award 732 grants to children in all corners of the UK.

A parent whose child received a specialist equipment grant commented, “Receiving the sensory equipment from Variety has been vital. My daughter was having a lot of meltdowns due to sensory triggers. I was trying to help her but because she wasn’t getting the input she needed, we were butting heads. Now with the equipment from Variety, she listens to me more: I can talk to her and she understands me.”

Furthermore, 14 young people took part in work experience placements as part of the Access Interns programme, significant growth from the pilot year’s intake of three. Meanwhile wider programmes supported 1,879 children and young people through the Voices for Change campaign, which helps to widen participation in sports for children with disabilities.

Parents and carers also reported the positive impact of Variety’s Great Days Out programme, which saw 4,544 young people and their families enjoy quality time together away from the stresses of daily life.

Our work and impact throughout 2025 would not be possible without the kindness and dedications of our supporters, thank you for helping to ensure that disabled and disadvantaged children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Read and download Variety’s full Impact Report 2025 here.