Who We Are

Respected throughout the industry for our technical expertise, we play an active role in shaping standards and best practice. We believe in designing well-made, easy-to-use products that are built to stand the test of time.

To support families and professionals, we provide product user guides and videos, all available to download for added convenience.

Our products — including bespoke solutions — are available in a wide range of colours, helping to brighten a child’s environment or simply allowing them to choose and enjoy their favourite colour.

We work closely with therapists, parents and children to fully understand individual needs. This collaborative approach is reflected in our designs, which deliver clear clinical benefits while promoting independence, confidence and social inclusion.

Our dedicated Product Advisors are always on hand to provide free, no-obligation assessments. They’ll work alongside you, your therapist and your child to identify the most appropriate solution, and where required, tailor our products to meet your child’s exact requirements.

Please contact us to book an assessment.

Our Story

Smirthwaite was founded by husband-and-wife team Geoff and Sheila Smirthwaite, pioneers in the development of specialist furniture and equipment for children with additional needs.

While working as a craft, design and technology teacher, Geoff mentored a student on a project to design a wooden chair. As the work progressed, Geoff recognised the chair’s potential to offer meaningful postural support. That original design — first created in 1976 — became the foundation of what would later grow into Smirthwaite.

Following his retirement in 1986, Geoff was approached by a local branch of SCOPE in Welwyn, who asked if he could create a chair for a young boy with cerebral palsy. With a few thoughtful modifications to the original design, Geoff produced a bespoke chair that transformed the child’s daily life. For the first time, he was able to sit at the dining table and share a meal with his family.

Word soon spread about the Smirthwaite’s’ “special wooden chair”. Requests began to come in from parents, therapists and Conductive Education centres, asking Geoff and Sheila to design and manufacture a wider range of specialist wooden products, including plinths and ladder-back chairs.

What began as a retirement project quickly grew into a full-time commitment, driven by a shared belief in collaboration and care. In 1986, Geoff and Sheila officially formed G&S Smirthwaite — now known as Smirthwaite Ltd.

Today, Smirthwaite products are used by children across the world. Although Geoff sadly passed away in October 2010, his legacy lives on. His passion for working closely with families, therapists and clinicians remains central to everything we do.

In 2015, Smirthwaite became part of the Prism Medical group. As part of the Prism family, we continue to grow, innovate and invest in the future — while staying true to the values on which the company was built.

At Smirthwaite, we’re proud of our past — and even more excited about what’s ahead.