Today, we announced the successful acquisition of the specialist charity MERU. The move secures the future of vital services for disabled children across the UK following the administration of MERU’s previous host organisation.

The two charities share a deeply aligned mission: using innovative design and bespoke technology to improve the lives of children with complex needs. By bringing the MERU team into the fold, Cerebra will significantly expand its reach, combining their existing Innovation Centre and Library Service with MERU’s world-class expertise.

MERU’s most well-known product remains the Bugzi, a celebrated mini-powered wheelchair designed specifically for children as young as one year old to help them explore their world independently. Similarly, Cerebra continues to push the boundaries of inclusive design by creating bespoke equipment tailored to unique needs, such as adapted surfboards, rocking horses and Oxygems. Together, the teams will continue to ensure that physical limitations never stand in the way of a child’s play or discovery.

While MERU’s previous host, the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), entered administration last year, the MERU team itself remained financially robust. Operating with a year-on-year surplus and backed by a dedicated community, the team continued to deliver high-impact work throughout the transition. This acquisition ensures that their life-changing services avoid closure and can now thrive under a stable new home.

Jess Camburn Rahmani, Chief Executive of Cerebra, explained:
“Cerebra and Meru share a steadfast belief that good design can bring inclusion, joy and adventure to disabled children and their families. Bringing the MERU team into Cerebra allows us to expand both our reach and the range of support we can offer families across the UK. Our existing bespoke design and innovation service and sensory toy library will now be perfectly complemented by Meru’s design and innovation services including their switch-adapted toy service and the unique Bugzi powered wheelchair loan scheme. We are stronger together.”

As part of the integration, the MERU team will become a full part of Cerebra, unifying under the Cerebra brand to streamline support for families. While the MERU name will be retired, their expertise remains. The team will continue to be based in Surrey, where a new workshop and premises have already been secured to house their operations.

Tracey Doherty, Sales & Product Lead at MERU, added:
“This has been an incredibly uncertain period for the MERU team, and we are both relieved and thrilled to have found a new home within Cerebra. Our missions are so closely aligned that this feels like a natural evolution. We are relieved that our core services, especially the Bugzi loan scheme, are not only safe but positioned to grow. Joining the Cerebra family allows us to focus entirely on what we do best: innovating for the children who need us most.”

The merger was celebrated at a recent joint staff development day, where teams from both organisations shared insights into their specialist projects. Cerebra is delighted to officially welcome their new colleagues to the family.