Grants for Autistic Children: All the Grants You Can Apply for in UK

Grants for Autistic Children: All the Grants You Can Apply for in UK

Finding grants for autistic children can make a big difference for families in need of financial support for specialised equipment, therapies, or home adaptations. This guide covers the best grants available in the UK, bringing together your options so you can find the right support for your child and family, all in one place.

Key Takeaways

• Grants for Various Needs: Find grants for autistic children in the UK that cover educational tools, mobility equipment, and sensory toys.
• Easy Application Steps: Learn about the simple application processes, often needing a letter from a teacher or doctor.
• Personalised Support: Discover grants that offer tailored support to meet your child’s specific needs, from specialist equipment to family breaks.

Able Kidz Educational Trust

Able Kidz Educational Trust helps disabled children and young people under 18 in the UK with their educational needs. They provide things like specialist equipment, computers, and extra tuition to help children become more independent.

If your child needs specific educational tools or technology to help with learning, Able Kidz might be able to help. To apply, you’ll need a letter from an education professional explaining what your child needs and why. This support can really boost a child’s confidence and independence by giving them the tools they need to succeed in their education.

AFK (Action for Kids)

AFK, also known as Action for Kids, supports disabled children and young people up to 26 years old by providing mobility equipment that isn’t covered by the NHS. This includes items like powered wheelchairs, walkers, trikes, and scooters.

The great thing about AFK is that they offer powered wheelchairs on a permanent loan basis, meaning they take care of the maintenance and repairs, so you don’t have to worry about those costs. If you’re interested, you can download an application form from their website and get started.

Boparan Charitable Trust

The Boparan Charitable Trust helps disabled children under 18 who are facing tough times due to poverty, disability, or terminal illness. They provide grants for a variety of needs, including wheelchairs, sensory toys, and even special wishes that can bring a bit of joy into a child’s life.

Each request is looked at individually, so the trust can make sure the support fits what the child actually needs. You’ll need to provide a letter from a doctor or another professional confirming your child’s situation. This trust is a great option if you’re looking for flexible support tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Family Fund

Family Fund is a UK charity that helps families raising disabled or seriously ill children, including those with autism, by providing grants for essential items like sensory toys, tablets, household appliances, and family breaks. They focus on supporting low-income families and offer a simple online application process.

Additionally, their Mobility Support Programme provides car-leasing packages for children with significant mobility needs, making everyday life more manageable. Family Fund is a key resource for families needing financial support to improve their child’s quality of life.

Buttle UK

Buttle UK provides the Chances for Children Grants, offering up to £2,000 to help children and young people who have gone through significant hardships. The grants can be used for all sorts of things, like educational supplies, household items, or even activities that can help a child feel more confident and happy.

Buttle UK works with professionals who refer families for these grants, so you’ll need someone like a social worker or a teacher to help you apply. They focus on families who are actively working to improve their situations, making sure the support goes to those who are making an effort to turn things around.

Caudwell Children

Caudwell Children offers a wide range of support for disabled children and their families, including equipment provision, therapies, and family support services. They help with things like mobility aids, sensory equipment, and even access to treatments that aren’t available on the NHS.

They’ve also got a autism centre in Staffordshire, which includes everything from assessment suites to a sensory garden. You can apply directly through their website for the different types of support they offer. Caudwell Children really aims to make life easier for families by providing practical and emotional help when it’s needed most.

Children Today

Children Today helps disabled children and young people up to 25 by providing grants for specialist equipment such as communication aids, educational toys, and electric wheelchairs. If your child needs such equipment that isn’t funded elsewhere, Children Today could help bridge that gap.

You can apply directly by calling the charity, and they’ll guide you through what’s needed, including a reference from someone who works with your child, like an occupational therapist or teacher. This support can be essential for families needing specific items that make everyday life easier for their child.

CHIPS Charity

CHIPS Charity provides powered wheelchairs for children with disabilities that are not covered by the NHS. Supported by the casino and gaming industry, this charity focuses on giving children the independence that mobility brings, allowing them to take part in everyday activities alongside their peers.

Each application is reviewed on an individual basis, and funding is subject to what’s available at the time. You can apply online, and the charity encourages detailed applications to help them understand exactly what each child needs. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for specific mobility support that isn’t otherwise funded.

Crackerjacks Children’s Trust

Crackerjacks Children’s Trust offers financial assistance to disabled children and their families, providing grants up to £700 for specialist equipment like wheelchairs, trikes, and sensory toys. They also have a holiday home in Somerset, specially adapted for children in wheelchairs, offering a chance for families to take a break together.

Applications are straightforward and require a supporting letter from a health professional, like a doctor or a social worker, to confirm the child’s needs. Crackerjacks aims to support families by making life a little bit easier and more enjoyable, whether through essential equipment or a bit of fun away from home.

The Elifar Foundation

The Elifar Foundation helps children and adults up to 28 with various disabilities by funding specialist equipment and respite care. Their support includes items like wheelchairs, specialised seating, and communication aids, all designed to improve the quality of life for those they help.

Applications require detailed financial information and a professional’s support letter to ensure the funds are used where they’re most needed. This foundation is a great resource for those needing specific items that can make daily living more comfortable and accessible.

Newlife Charity

Newlife is the UK’s largest charity provider of specialist equipment for disabled or terminally ill children, including those with a mental health condition. They offer grants for vital items like beds, mobility aids, and communication tools. Newlife also runs an emergency equipment loan service that can deliver items within 72 hours for urgent needs, which is a real lifeline for families in crisis.

Lifeline 4 Kids

Lifeline 4 Kids supports children up to the age of 18 with disabilities, including autism. For more information on grants disability, you can visit specific websites that offer guidance on locating charity grants. They focus on funding equipment like wheelchairs, communication aids, and specialised computer equipment. This charity is ideal for families needing financial help to acquire essential items that are not covered by other sources.

Three Guineas Trust

The Three Guineas Trust provides significant funding, up to £15,000, for holiday activity schemes for autistic children and their siblings. These grants are designed to support activities during school holidays, offering enriching experiences that cater specifically to autistic children. Although the current application window is closed, it will reopen in February 2025, making it a great future option for organisations that provide holiday activities​(

Cash for Kids

Cash for Kids offers grants to support children facing disadvantage across the UK, including those with autism. The grants can cover a variety of needs, such as clothing, educational materials, or sensory equipment. Applications are typically made through registered charities, and the availability of funds depends on donations received. This charity is a good option for families seeking practical financial support to meet their children’s needs​.

Percy Bilton Charity

The Percy Bilton Charity offers grants to people on low income who have a disability, including autistic children. They fund day-to-day living items, specialist equipment like wheelchairs, sensory toys, and other essential aids to improve the child’s quality of life. The grants are available for families in financial need, making it easier to access necessary resources that might not be covered elsewhere.

Sunny Days Children’s Fund

Sunny Days Children’s Fund provides small grants to help children with disabilities, including autism, and their families. They support needs such as day trips, medical equipment, respite care, and hospital travel. The charity aims to bring some relief to families by covering costs that improve the child’s wellbeing and offer moments of joy during challenging time.

Overall

Finding the right grants for autistic children can make a real difference, easing the financial pressures and providing essential support to help your child thrive. From specialist equipment and home adaptations to day-to-day living expenses and respite care, the grants and charities listed here offer a wide range of help.

Take your time to explore the options, gather the needed documents, and apply for the support that best fits your family’s needs. With the right help, you can make things a bit easier for your child and your family as a whole.