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Website Statement

It is with immense sadness and regret that we inform you that Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) will commence a wind down programme from 11th November 2025.  

This process is expected to take 28 days to allow time for alternative placements to be found for residential clients at our Care and Rehabilitation Centre, and to honour commitments to other clients to the best extent possible.  

At the end of this period, QEF intends to file for administration.   

We have worked tirelessly over the last year to try and save the charity, exploring numerous options to improve its finances, but unfortunately there wasn’t a viable solution that met all the necessary requirements to overcome the challenging financial situation QEF faced. 

It has been our privilege to support disabled people for over 90 years, providing expert services that have changed many lives, and we are deeply saddened that it cannot continue. 

Our priorities right now are to work with funding bodies to ensure clients find suitable alternative placements and to support our remarkable staff during this difficult time.

MERU

Bespoke assistive equipment and mobility solutions for disabled children.

MERU is part of QEF Group and we aim to improve the lives of disabled children, by creating new possibilities. We design and make a wide range of specialist assistive equipment.

Bugzi is our small powerchair for young children that can be adapted to meet individual needs. Bugzi assessments are available for disabled children across the country.

We also have a range of switch adapted toys and special needs toys that can provide children with the opportunity to learn and achieve.

Our vision is to see all disabled young people and their families living life to its full potential.

Visit the MERU Website

Shop the entire MERU collection
Go to MERU
Or call us on 0208 770 1151

Bugzi

Bugzi is a powered chair for young children from 1 year old to about 6 years old and is primarily an indoor chair. It can be used in any similar environments – homes, nursery, school, playgrounds, museums, gardens, shopping centres. Bugzi does not have a waterproof jacket so it needs to stay dry! It is also only tested to a certain maximum speed, only to go over little bumps (about 2 cm), and not up any big hills; so Bugzi needs to be used on flat surfaces. Bugzi can be easily transported in a vehicle and used in different places.
Blythe sitting in a Bugzi looking very happy
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Assistive Products

MERU sell a wide range of bespoke, assistive products for a wide variety of needs, all of which are aimed at making life easier or safer for disabled children.

Adapting toys

The team at MERU can adapt children’s favourite toys so they can be used with a wide variety of accessible switches to play and learn.
Toy-Story-46-23-1-scaled.jpg

FAQs

What is Bugzi?

Bugzi is a small powered chair for young children aged between 1 and approx 6 years old that enables disabled children to be independently mobile.

It is primarily an indoor chair and can be used in environments such as homes, nursery, school, playgrounds, museums, gardens, shopping centres. Bugzi needs to be used in the dry and on flat surfaces.

Can Bugzi be adapted to my child?

Bugzi is only available for use after an assessment by a paediatric Occupational Therapist. This ensures Bugzi is correctly adjusted for each child and the most appropriate controls are issued, so the child can effectively learn to use and control Bugzi.

How much does Bugzi cost?

Bugzi is available free of charge through our Bugzi loan scheme. A deposit is taken at the start of the loan period, but each child can use Bugzi for as long as it is right for them. Bugzi is then returned and refurbished for use by another child. The Bugzi loan scheme is supported by fundraising for QEF and MERU.

How do I know if my child would benefit from a Bugzi?

Bugzi enables a disabled child to be independently mobile – often for the first time. Families should complete an application form and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss your needs and arrange an assessment if appropriate. More information on the assessment process is available here

What assistive products do you sell?

We sell a wide range of disability living aid products that make daily life easier, such as Flexi that can attach a phone or tablet to a wheelchair, bed or table. The full range is available here.

See All FAQs

Visit the MERU Website

Shop the entire MERU collection
Go to MERU