Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. Each year, they award thousands of families with grants for a variety of reasons – but most frequently for a family break.

At the centre of Family Fund’s work is the belief that all families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people should have the same opportunities as others and that means being able to take holidays and breaks – enabling much needed downtime and recuperation. If you are the parent or carer of a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under, the Family Fund may be able to help.

Grants are most frequently requested for family breaks, either in the UK or abroad, but the charity will also consider grants for day trips and other leisure activities. They can also consider grants that allow parents and carers to take a break from their caring by paying for activity clubs, childcare and home-based support.

Support

Families from all over the UK have benefited from Family Fund support, such as Oliver’s. Oliver is three and lives in Cambridgeshire with his parents and his three siblings. His mum applied to Family Fund for a grant towards a break to North Wales.

“It was amazing to see Oliver so happy and carefree, he’s had three operations so far to repair his cleft palate with one six weeks before our holiday, perfect timing for his recovery!

His favourite part was the fencing which is something we’d never get the opportunity to try at home” She said, adding:

“We’re so grateful that we were given the chance to get away and spend some time together as a family.”

Meanwhile, another parent, Megan, heard about Family Fund through a child psychologist when her four year old daughter, Ffi on was diagnosed with autism.

After receiving their grant, they spent a week exploring Devon. “It was so nice not just to have a holiday but to get to spend some time together as a family.

It was busy, but Ffi on took it all in her stride. We were all a bit nervous about how Ffi on would react to a totally new environment, but we needn’t have, she had a great time. This gave us a massive confidence boost as a family. We’re so happy Family Fund gave us this opportunity to have such a great experience.”

Family Fund believe that by providing grants they can help relieve some of the pressure and provide vital time and space in families’ lives and understand that this time and space helps strengthen the family unit to support parents in raising their children. These few stories represent an incredibly small portion of the many families that Family Fund help each year but successfully illustrate the importance of the work they are involved in.

Find out more about Family Fund and how to apply for support at:
www.familyfund.org.uk or email: info@familyfund.org.uk or call: 01904 550055.