Our Story

Fledglings is a UK not-for-profit ecommerce organisation providing practical products for disabled children, young people and adults, as well as families, carers, schools, therapists and care settings.

Founded in 1998 by Ruth Lingard, Fledglings grew through close working with occupational therapists, families and professionals to help people find specialist products that were often difficult to source, poorly explained or unavailable through mainstream retailers. That purpose remains at the heart of what we do today.

Over the years, Fledglings has grown into a trusted place to find everyday solutions for additional needs, disability, sensory differences, continence, sleep, mobility, communication, personal care, education and independence.

While we are well known for supporting children, many needs continue into teenage years and adulthood. Our range reflects this, with products for all ages and stages of life, including adult sizes and practical solutions designed to support comfort, dignity, safety and independence at home, in education, in care and out in the community.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is simple: to make specialist support easier to find, understand and access.

We bring together carefully chosen products in one place, supported by clear, practical information to help families, carers and professionals make informed choices that work in real life.

We are not a clinical service, and we do not replace professional advice. Instead, we help bridge the gap between recommendation and everyday use by making practical aids easier to discover, compare and buy.

What Makes Fledglings Different

Fledglings is not a mainstream retailer and we are not here simply to sell products. We exist to solve real problems faced by disabled people, families and those who support them.

We focus on:

• Practical products that support everyday life
• Clear information to help customers make confident choices
• Specialist items that are often hard to find elsewhere
• Inclusive solutions for children, teenagers and adults
• Support for families, schools, therapists, care providers and community organisations
• A not-for-profit model where social purpose comes before profit

Not-for-Profit, With Impact

Fledglings operates as a Community Interest Company, or CIC. This means our focus is on social purpose rather than private profit.

Any surplus we generate is used to support our not-for-profit aims. As part of our ongoing commitment to families with disabled children, Fledglings also supports the work of Contact, the national charity providing advice, guidance and support to families across the UK.

Every purchase from Fledglings helps us continue providing access to specialist products, clear information and practical everyday support.

Who We Support

Fledglings supports:

• Disabled children and young people
• Disabled adults
• Families and unpaid carers
• Schools and specialist education settings
• Occupational therapists and healthcare professionals
• Care providers and community organisations
• Charities, councils and support services

Looking Ahead

Fledglings continues to evolve in response to real lives and lifelong needs.

Our commitment is to remain practical, inclusive and trusted — helping people find products that make daily life easier, safer, more comfortable and more independent.

As needs change, our range will continue to grow, but our purpose remains the same: helping families, carers and professionals find everyday solutions that make a meaningful difference.

Contact

For advice, information and support for families with disabled children, visit Contact at www.contact.org.uk.