Disabled children and young people, their siblings, parents, and carers experience multiple interacting barriers to the realisation of their rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. For over 50 years, Family Fund have worked towards our vision of families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people having the same choices, quality of life, opportunities, and aspirations as others.
We do this by:
- Giving grants to families on a low income for items they may not otherwise be able to afford. For example; family breaks, digital equipment, white goods, clothing, bedding, furniture and play equipment.
- Offering services to help parents and carers to achieve the outcomes they want for their child and family. This includes where to go for support with money, benefits and budget planning, information on mental health and wellbeing. And practical workshops to help people get online and use digital tools.
- Providing ways for families to share their experiences, so they can influence lasting change on issues that matter to them
Families matter
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) describes the family as “the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children” which should “be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume it’s responsibilities within the community.” [i]
On average, families with a disabled child or young person, face extra costs of £1,067 a month. They need additional heating, specialist equipment, travel to appointments and more. [ii]. For families raising disabled children, the ability of carers being able to work, maintain or increase their incomes, is significantly limited by the time they spend caring. [iii]
Without adequate and personalised additional support, prioritising beneficial activities, time as a family or short breaks for parents, carers and siblings is extremely challenging.
Our grants can provide families with the opportunity to have a short break, such as a day out or break away or to purchase leisure equipment or activities.
“Kayden loves reminding me of the memories we made on that holiday. The break allowed me to reset and prove to myself that I can do this. I was at a point in my life where I was doubting myself as a parent.” Michaela, East Lothian[iv]
Delivering personalised support
Last year, Family Fund awarded 4,304 grants via our Take a Break Scotland programme, funded by Scottish Government’s Short Breaks Fund. These grants enable carers to access a short break, providing an opportunity to increase their own health and wellbeing, something which can otherwise feel impossible to prioritise.
Ninety-eight percent of carers in our 2024/25 Take a Break Impact and Evaluation Survey reported that their Take a Break Scotland grant had benefitted their health and wellbeing. Ninety-one percent indicated that it had supported the health and wellbeing of other adults or young carers in the household.
“Take a break/family fund saved me from having a complete mental break down. I was under medication and still not coping well and right on the verge of a meltdown. I truly believe that our grant for a break saved this family.” (Take a Break grant recipient, 2024)
“It is quite literally a tonic; it gives my energy and mental health a boost to carry on.”(Take a Break grant recipient, 2024)
In 2023/24 Family Fund also awarded 6,197 families with a grant via our Scotland programme, which Scottish Government support.
“Grant was for a new cooker to replace unreliable one. New cooker has larger oven capacity and can be used reliably – this allows me to cook the different foods needed for differing diets/needs at the one time. This in turns let us all eat a healthy meal together, making mealtimes more sociable; helping my grandson interact more at these times. It also gives me more time especially in the evening to take part in after dinner activities with my family as I am not cooking different meals at different times. It has definitely made mealtime a more family focused and sociable time.” (Carer, Scotland)
Grants are available now from our Scotland grant programme.
Salena Begley, MBE is Partnership Engagement Manager-Scotland at Family Fund.
Sources:
i. https://www.unicef.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/unicef-convention-rights-child-uncrc
ii. https://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/disability-price-tag
iii. ff-cost-of-caring-report-website-version.pdf
iv. https://www.familyfund.org.uk/news/east-lothian-couple-take-on-the-great-north-run-for-family-fund/
