Grants are available to help meet the needs of families in the UK who are raising disabled and seriously ill young adults aged 18-24.
The Family Fund Trust aims to helps meet the needs of families living on the lowest of incomes who are raising disabled and seriously ill children and young people. Its vision is that families raising disabled or seriously ill children have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as other families.
The Trust has previously helped families with things like:
- Laptops or tablets to support young people develop digital skills and explore further education, online hobbies and building independence.
- Transport costs for appointments, clubs or hobbies or memberships for specialist activities, and
- White goods such as fridge freezers, cookers or washing machines, to help with independence.
Applicants will be expected to meet the following eligibility criteria. They should:
- Be a family on a low income from work, or benefits such as Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit etc.
- Be the main parent, or carer, of a disabled or seriously ill young adult aged 18 to 24 who lives at home with them.
- Have lived in the UK for the last 6 months, and
- Not have received a Your Opportunity grant, on behalf of this young adult, during the previous 12 months.
In addition, young adults aged 18-24 in need of support from the Fund must meet at least 3 of the following requirements:
- Access to social activities: the young adult is in need of extra support to access social or leisure activities, including difficulty travelling, or where they are currently socially isolated.
- Communication: the young adult needs support to listen, speak or understand.
- Education/vocational training: the young adult has additional educational support needs or needs extra help to attend vocational training.
- Personal care, supervision and vigilance: the young adult needs support with feeding, washing, toileting, or needs to be supervised at all times.
- Physical/built environment: the young adult needs support with getting around, travelling independently, and keeping safe.
- Specialist resources used: the young adult needs resources such as a wheelchair, oxygen, screen magnifier or electronic communication aid, and
- Therapy and medical treatment: the young adults is in need of treatment or therapy.
Further information, guidance and how to apply for grant support is available on the Trust’s website.
Applications may be made at any time. Please note, however, that funds will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis and that the scheme will close once the available budget has been committed. Early application is therefore advised.