Walking Aids Service - Physiotherapy equipment
Whilst receiving care at one of our hospital sites, some patients will be issued with a pair of crutches, walking stick, frame or braces. In this section find out how to use this equipment and how to return it once you are finished with it.
Walking Aids Recycling Scheme
What happens to walking aids when they are no longer needed?
At Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, we are working hard to reduce our waste and our Walking Aids Recycling Scheme prevents unwanted walking aids such as crutches, walking frames and walking sticks being thrown away.
In 2025 the Health Board’s Walking Aids Recycling Scheme refurbished a total of 4,563 walking aids, returning them back into use for patients across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
The scheme, which is supported by the local HM Probation Service, refurbishes walking frames, crutches and walking sticks. Last year, by recycling this equipment, the Health Board saved £72,000 and prevented more than 192k tonnes of CO2E carbon emissions (equivalent to driving a diesel car around the equator 11 times).
Help us help our planet
If you have a walking aid that you no longer need, you can return it to your local Physiotherapy Department or one of our drop zones so it can be cleaned, refurbished and reissued to another patient.
We accept metal walking sticks, walking frames, crutches and three and four-wheeled walkers that are in good condition and can be reused. We are unable to reuse, and therefore accept, spinal braces, neck collars, knee braces or foot/ankle braces or boots.
Drop points are located at all Physiotherapy departments across the Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board, including:
- Joint Equipment Store, Cardiff Business Park, Unit 2-3 Lambourne Crescent, Llanishen, CF14 5PW
- Joint Equipment Story, West Point Ind Estate, Unit 5b, Penarth Road, Cardiff, CF11 8JQ
- Physio Outpatients, Floor 1, Lakeside Wing, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW
- Main Concourse, UHW, Cardiff, CF14 4XW
- CAVOC Outpatients Reception, University Hospital Llandough, Penlan Road, Llandough, CF64 2XX
- Main Entrance, Barry Hospital, Colcot Road, Barry, CF62 8YH
- Main Entrance, St. David’s Hospital, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF11 9XB
- Main Entrance, Rookwood Hospital, 18-20 Fairwater Road, Cardiff, CF5 2YN
At a glance...
Items we welcome back:
- Clean and unbroken items
- Walking sticks (metal ones only)
- Walking frames
- Crutches
- 3 and 4 wheeled walkers
Items we can not accept (one patient use):
- Dirty, broken items
- Spinal braces
- Neck collars
- Knee braces
- Foot/ankle braces or boots
Please give the equipment, particularly the handles, a wipe with detergent to help reduce the risk of infection.
If you wish to return any other medical equipment as well as walking aids, please call Cardiff and Vale UHB Joint Equipment Store:
- 02920873673
If you wish to return a wheelchair please call the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service on 02920 313 905.
If you require any further information please contact Rob Skellett on 01443 661759.
