Disability Holiday Grants: How to Get Financial Help for Your Holiday

Disability Holiday Grants: How to Get Financial Help for Your Holiday

Planning a holiday can be challenging, especially if you or a family member has a disability. Luckily, there are numerous holiday grants available in the UK to help ease the financial burden. These grants can make it possible for disabled children, disabled adults, and their families to enjoy some much-needed quality time together.

Applying for these grants typically involves filling out an application form, either online or by mail, detailing circumstances, disability, and how the grant would benefit the disabled person.

This guide will walk you through the best options for disability holiday grants, ensuring you have all the information you need to plan a fantastic and accessible holiday. 

Key Takeaways

• Holiday Grants for Disabled: There are many grants available in the UK that provide financial help for holidays for disabled children, adults, and their families. These grants make it possible to enjoy quality time together without the financial stress.
• Variety of Options: Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, an adventure-filled holiday, or a respite care break, there’s a grant to suit your needs. Options range from short breaks for carers to adventure camps for children with disabilities.
• Accessible Holidays: Many organisations offer specially adapted accommodations and facilities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable holiday for individuals with disabilities. These include holiday homes, caravans, and even canal cruises.

1. After Umbrage

After Umbrage provides short breaks for those caring for loved ones with life-limiting conditions and offers post-bereavement breaks for carers. The charity owns a beautiful holiday cottage in the tranquil surroundings of Bath, which offers a peaceful retreat for carers. These breaks provide a valuable respite, allowing carers to recharge and take some time for themselves.

2. Break

Break offers holiday grants for children and young people aged 5 to 18 with complex needs, life-limiting conditions, and disabilities. Their facilities include specially adapted holiday homes and various supportive services to ensure a comfortable stay for the children and their families. These grants help cover the costs of the holiday, making it accessible for families on a low income.

3. The Calvert Trust

The Calvert Trust offers accessible adventure holidays in the Lake District, Kielder, and Exmoor. Their facilities are designed to cater to all types of disabilities, with specialised equipment and trained staff to assist. Activities include canoeing, archery, horse riding, sailing, climbing, and abseiling, providing a fun and adventurous holiday for the whole family. These holidays provide an excellent opportunity for families to spend quality time together while enjoying a wide range of exciting activities.

4. Deafblind UK

Deafblind UK provides affordable holiday options with their three caravans located in North Wales and Norfolk. These caravans are specifically adapted to meet the needs of people with dual sensory loss. Members can enjoy a relaxing holiday in a safe and supportive environment, with the added comfort of knowing that the facilities are designed to cater to their specific needs.

5. Dreamflight

Dreamflight takes disabled children and those with serious illnesses to Orlando, Florida, for an unforgettable holiday experience. This charity has helped over 6,000 children enjoy fun and independence. The trip includes visits to theme parks, special events, and opportunities to meet new friends, all under the supervision of a dedicated team of volunteers and medical staff.

6. Destination Florida

Destination Florida helps children aged 7 to 15 from the North of England who are living with serious illnesses or disabilities to visit Florida. The charity organises a biennial trip that includes visits to Disney World and other attractions, providing a memorable experience for the children and their carers.

7. Donna’s Dream House

Based in Blackpool, Donna’s Dream House provides free holidays for disabled children, teenagers, and those with life-threatening illnesses. Their facilities include specially adapted rooms and a range of entertainment options, ensuring that each family has a fun and comfortable stay. They also support recently bereaved families and siblings.

8. Garwood Foundation

The Garwood Foundation offers accessible holiday services and support for both children and adults with disabilities. They have a fully accessible holiday caravan site for hire in Pagham, West Sussex. The caravans are equipped with all necessary facilities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable holiday for individuals with disabilities and their families.

9. Go Beyond

Go Beyond provides disadvantaged children with free holiday breaks. However, a referral from a social worker or other professional is required for a child to be eligible for this grant. These breaks offer children a chance to experience new activities, build confidence, and create happy memories, often in rural or coastal locations.

10. Holiday Homes Trust

Holiday Homes Trust offers self-catering holidays in specially adapted caravans across the UK. Their accommodations are accessible, with features like wet rooms and ramp entry, ensuring that families with disabled members can enjoy a stress-free holiday.

11. Heswall Disabled Children’s Holiday Fund

The Heswell Disabled Children’s Holiday Fund hosts two summer camps annually for children aged 9 to 15 with physical disabilities, providing them with an enriching holiday experience. The camps are fully equipped to handle various disabilities, and the staff is trained to provide the necessary care and support.

12. Kidney Care UK

Kidney Care UK offers short breaks and holidays for adults and families affected by kidney disease, ensuring they can enjoy some quality time together. These breaks are designed to provide rest and relaxation in a supportive environment.

13. The League of the Helping Hand

This organisation provides holiday grants and one-off payments to carers, giving them much-needed respite from their daily duties. The grants can be used for various purposes, including holidays, to ensure carers get the rest they deserve.

14. The Newman Trust

The Newman Trust specialises in summer holidays for children with special needs, specifically ages 5 to 16. They offer tailored holidays to meet each child’s needs, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for children with various disabilities.

15. The Oliver Curd Trust

This trust provides holiday grants for disabled children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, established in memory of Oliver Curd. Their holiday homes are located in scenic areas and are fully equipped to meet the needs of the families staying there.

16. Over The Wall

Over The Wall offers residential and online adventure camps for children with disabilities and health challenges, along with their family members. The camps are designed to be fun, challenging, and supportive, helping children build confidence and make new friends.

17. Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation

The Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation provides several holiday grants for disabled adults looking for a break at a specialist centre or nursing home of their choice. These grants help cover the costs of the stay, making it easier for disabled individuals to enjoy a comfortable holiday.

18. The Respite Association

The Respite Association offers short-term respite care for carers of the elderly, sick, disabled, and terminally ill, with funding usually averaging around £400. This funding can be used to cover the cost of hiring a professional carer, allowing the regular carer to take a well-deserved break.

19. Revitalise

Revitalise offers respite care in a holiday setting at their three accessible centres in Southampton, Southport, and Essex. Their facilities are designed to cater to the needs of disabled individuals and their carers, providing a relaxing and enjoyable holiday experience.

20. Seagull Trust Cruises

For disabled holiday grants in Scotland, Seagull Trust Cruises provides free canal cruises for people with special needs and the elderly. Their boats are fully accessible, and the cruises offer a unique and tranquil holiday experience.

21. Speyside Trust Badaguish Centre

The Speyside Trust Badaguish Centre offers accessible lodges, pods, and camping for adults and children with learning disabilities, ensuring a fun and inclusive holiday experience. The centre is located in the Cairngorms National Park, providing a beautiful backdrop for the holiday.

22. Trefoil House

Trefoil House provides holidays for children under 18 with disabilities and special needs, offering tailored support for each child. The facility is equipped with various amenities to ensure the children have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

23. Victoria Convalescent Trust

The Victoria Convalescent Trust offers short breaks and funds for carers in Wales and England. Applications must be made via an advice service or qualified professional. These breaks provide essential respite for carers, allowing them to recharge and continue their valuable work.

24. The 3H Foundation

The 3H Foundation provides modest holiday grants for those with disabilities or disabled family members. Carers can also apply for a respite carer grant to take a much-needed break from their caregiving duties.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right holiday grant can make all the difference for families with disabled members. Whether you’re looking for a break in the UK or an adventure abroad, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs.

Don’t let the cost hold you back from creating unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Explore these grants and start planning your next holiday today!