Douglas Bader Foundation

The Douglas Bader Foundation embodies the resilience and determination of Sir Douglas Bader, championing the physical, mental, and spiritual welfare of amputees and physically disabled individuals through empowerment and inclusion. Core values of aspiration, independence, and defiance against limitations drive its philosophy that focused interventions—unlocking personal achievement—transform lives, fostering confidence, life skills, and social participation. It believes modest, targeted support removes barriers to fuller lives, prioritizing person-centred empowerment, peer-led inspiration, and holistic rehabilitation over mere aid.

It funds rehabilitation programmes, peer support groups via Limb Loss Information Centre for amputees and families, sports participation through Amputee Games for new amputees discovering physical benefits, life-enhancing experiences like Bader Braves flying days for children aged 6-16 with limb deficiency or physical disabilities, adventure challenges via Bader Challenge expeditions building resilience, adaptive equipment and assistive technology enabling independence, education advancement for disabled young people, arts and recreation pursuits, small business start-ups led by disabled entrepreneurs, and practical services including legal advice panels and emotional support. Interventions target isolation, low confidence, and opportunity gaps for physically disabled people of all ages, emphasizing therapeutic sports, community-led activities, confidence-building adventures, and inclusive recreation to promote social inclusion, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing.

Exclusions encompass core operational or unrestricted funding, favouring instead practical, barrier-removing projects with clear life-changing potential. Distinctive for blending grantmaking with direct programmes rooted in lived experience, it prioritizes amputees and physically disabled individuals—especially children, young people, and new amputees—across national communities, valuing grassroots groups and individuals demonstrating fighting spirit, peer networks, and ambitious goals like athletic pursuits or entrepreneurial ventures, alongside advocacy for rehabilitation facilities and holistic family support.