For the first time in more than a decade, organisations from across the limb loss and limb difference community came together at Parliament as part of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.
Reach was proud to be part of this important day alongside fellow charities and organisations including Blesma, LimbPower, the Amputation Foundation, Finding Your Feet and Steel Bones.
The event brought together charity leaders, campaigners and people with lived experience to help ensure the voices of the limb loss and limb difference community are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
Bringing lived experience to Westminster
The day took place at Westminster on 14 April 2026 and included discussions with Marie Tidball MP about the challenges faced by people living with limb loss and limb difference.
By bringing individuals, families and organisations together in one place, the event created an opportunity to highlight both the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done to create a more inclusive society.
Discussions focused on several important issues affecting the community, including:
- Access to mental health support
- Inequalities in prosthetic provision
- Public understanding and representation
- Accessibility and inclusion
- Long-term support for children, young people and adults
These conversations reflected experiences shared across the community and reinforced the importance of ensuring that policies and services are shaped by those directly affected.
Young people helping to shape the future
One of the highlights of the day was hearing directly from young people and ambassadors who are helping to shape the future of awareness and advocacy work.
Their experiences and perspectives helped demonstrate why representation matters and why the voices of people with lived experience must remain central to future conversations.
Members of the Reach community took part in discussions, shared their experiences and helped highlight the challenges and opportunities facing children, young people and families affected by upper limb difference.
Raising awareness through partnership
The event also demonstrated the strength of collaboration across the sector.
While each organisation supports people in different ways, there was a shared commitment to raising awareness, challenging misconceptions and improving outcomes for everyone affected by limb loss and limb difference.
Together, the organisations highlighted the growing need for support and services across the UK.
Current figures show that more than 12,000 major amputations are carried out in NHS England each year. At the same time, around one in 1,900 babies are born with a limb difference.
Behind these statistics are thousands of individuals and families navigating education, healthcare, employment and everyday life, often facing significant differences in support and provision depending on where they live.
Looking ahead
For Reach, the event was about much more than awareness.
It was about visibility, understanding and action.
By bringing these conversations into Parliament, the Limb Loss and Limb Difference Alliance is helping to build momentum for positive change and ensure that the experiences of people living with limb difference are recognised and understood.
There is still much work to do, but the day represented an important step forward in strengthening the collective voice of the community.
We would like to thank everyone who took part, shared their experiences and contributed to such an important and positive event.
Together, we are helping to create a future that is more inclusive, accessible and informed for everyone affected by limb loss and limb difference.