Hart Walker UK

12/03/2025

Our biggest and most robust walker to date; and with an open front, also the most accessible for the user!

15/04/2024

Here's our good friend and Hart Walker user extraordinaire, Natasha Lambert, using her Hart Walker while standing and sailing in Greece, living life to the Max. Great to see. Well done Natasha and team!

15/04/2024

We were introduced to Theo and his family in Summer 2021 and asked if there was anything we could do to provide a suitable walker for Theo who at the time was 17 and weighed 69KG. Theo is also tall, around 1.8m and very strong. Although reluctant to be unable to offer assistance we simply didn't have the right device for him at the time...but that hasn't stopped us or Theo's family. Firstly, we carried out an assessment to see if our style of device is suitable with an existing model. Theo took to the walker immediately and was able to walk a good distance, but some improvements were required. The problem was not the walker itself but designing and building a modern and easier to access device which was adequately strong but not too heavy.....so Theo was the inspiration for our new open fronted style walker where a grown individual does not have to step over a cross bar but can have the walker rolled right up behind them with a much smaller lift required, or on some occasions, no lift at all.
We've already supplied several of the new style of device but for Theo, something even stronger is required. For the first time we've made a heavier-duty vertical support stem which in theory is almost 300% stronger than the previous assembly but only a couple of KG heavier. Good progress is being made with delivery and fitting hopefully just a few weeks away. It's taken 2 1/2 years to come up with these new designs plus a few more. It is said that good things come to those that wait. We really hope this is true in Theo's case! Watch this space for space for further news.

01/04/2024

Here's a video clip of the first of our modern, practical and robust, new style walkers being used outside of the UK, by it's new owner, Ben, from New Zealand. Getting Ben up and walking again has required a good deal of team work, dedication, commitment, patience and fortitude, not least on Ben's part as he has recently undergone hip surgery from which he is recovering.
This is Ben's second Hart Walker, having outgrown his previous model. Ben has transitioned from boy to man and needed a suitable walking device which provides stability, support, manoeuvrability, is dynamic and importantly, comes in his own choice of colour; emerald green!
Many thanks to the kindness and generosity of the members of Lions Clubs New Zealand Child Mobility Foundation for their efforts in supporting Ben and facilitating the purchase, shipping, fitting and ongoing support for Ben, as our walkers are not available through the health services in many countries, not just New Zealand.
Well done to Ben and all of his support network!
Hart Walker UK

29/03/2024

Fantastic to see the first export model of our new style, open fronted walkers being used by Ben in New Zealand! Well done to Ben and the team!

Meet the first new design Hart Walker fitted in New Zealand. Ben has launched the future of mobility for many children in New Zealand with cerebral palsy, with his fitting at the Auckland CMF Child Mobility Foundation Clinic Thur.21st March 2024. This new design with open front access will now enable him to have mobility as he transitions to adulthood. Pioneering the ability for other suitably assessed children to take the path from childhood through to adult and continue their freedom with the use of a Hart Walker. Watch this space for documentary of Ben's progress into this remarkable apparatus in coming weeks. Meanwhile you can see his original fitting in the old model here https://www.dropbox.com/s/8mvzwpzjt2wi06g/ben%20fitting%20cmf%20oct%202019.mov?dl=0

12/11/2023

"Wheely Good News!" It's great to experience the continued support of the Child Mobility Foundation of New Zealand, supported by the extremely kind and generous members of The New Zealand Lions Clubs, who have been supporting the provision of our walkers to children they identify, through close collaboration with orthotists and physiotherapists, as being suitable to use them, for several decades.
Our first export model of the new style device is going to Ben, who has outgrown his previous smaller model of Hart Walker and will soon be using his new walker in a colour that he has chosen.
Some of the comments used by the Lions, who have more experience of our devices than many include, "Remarkable; Life Changing; Wonderful."
One previous user of a Hart Walker, Brody, can now get around his home without a walker.
We completely agree with the Lions statement that being in "The upright position helps the breathing, opening up the passages, internal organs can function better, and the brain gains from the oxygen and stimulus".
Huge thanks and appreciation for the great work of the Child Mobility Foundation New Zealand!

Now available, the latest "Wheely Good News" Download from https://www.nzcmf.org/uploads/1/3/2/0/13202459/202310_wheely_good_news_r.pdf or view as Flip Page Book https://online.fliphtml5.com/yixbr/xntb/

23/10/2023

I was recently asked how do we ship our walkers overseas when they are getting to be so large. The unique design of the base and exoskeleton means that they can be disassembled into smaller assemblies and then compactly wrapped and placed into a carboard carton. Some of the assemblies in the photos can be disassembled even further but I think it wouldn't be fair for the first overseas new style walker recipient to have to reassemble the parts without at least some assistance from us. We've been provided with some basic measurements of the intended user so at least we know a little about who will be using the device. The kit can be compared to a Meccano set or possibly a self assembly Ikea piece of furniture however as each Walker is built to order for a specific child then each kit is different, which adds to the challenge of satisfactorily helping an overseas child to walk and walk well.

22/10/2023

Check out our great new product; a modern version of our classic gait trainer/walker.
• Easier to access (than previous models).
• Quick release straps/comfortable pads.
• Toddler to adult sizes.
• 100% weight bearing 100% of the time (No saddle).
• Minimum amount of support, maximum quality of posture and stepping.
• Hyperextension stops (If required).
• Knee extender bars (If required).
• Exoskeleton provides support at the ankle, knee, hip and thoracic region.
• Adjustable for plantar flexion/dorsiflexion.
• Caters for variable tone, high tone, low tone.
• Hand built, to order, in Yorkshire, exported worldwide.
• Contact Hart Walker UK for further details: enquiries@hartwalkeruk.com

21/10/2023

In addition to our new style of walking device looking good and with great functionality, we've also been working to make the device easier to use. The open front means that less effort is required to step into the walker or a shorter lift is required. The new straps, sleeves and padded assemblies are also quicker to fasten, unfasten, add and remove, as you can see in this clip.
All in all we're quite satisfied with the improvements. We hope you are too.

17/10/2023

A sneak peak of a new model with new style padded sewing assemblies. Still working on finalising a few bits and pieces but hopefully aiming to despatch to an overseas customer next week.

10/10/2023

Today, we've been busy in the sewing room, making padded assemblies for a couple of walkers. These are brand new designs and designed to improve the appearance of the walkers as well as adding comfort. It's taken a while to get up to speed and decide on fabrics, dimensions, how to make, etc., however I hope you'll agree that this is a welcome addition to our unique range of walking devices.
We're not restricted to the items in the photos. As each of our clients has different and unique needs and each client has different dimensions, we will make to each individual's requirements.

03/10/2023

We're continuing to make progress with our sewing room and sewing assembly designs to make our exoskeletons more comfortable, colour coded and with an enhanced and modern appearance. Here's an example of a new style hip pad being bound on a new-to-us classic Seiko cylinder arm sewing machine.
Our hope is in the near future we will be able to offer bespoke padded and strap assemblies that not only enhance the appearance of the walker but also provide great support and comfort to make walking a more enjoyable experience overall.