Welcome to the March 2022 edition of Disability Grants News - a monthly round up of highlights on the Disability Grants website and resources for anyone with a disability, caring for or working with disabled adults or children.

Here are some of this month’s updates and additions.... 

Disability Leisure Discounts

Children and Young People

• The BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials programme helps struggling families with children’s basic needs in the UK.  Due to high demand it is unable to offer new registrations in the North and Central regions.  New referrers can register their interest when the programme reopens.

• Merlin’s Magic Wand provides complimentary tickets and a contribution towards travel for a day out at a Merlin Entertainment attraction.  This includes Sealife Centres, Legoland and Madame Tussands.  It is only open to families/children who have not previously been supported.  Certain conditions apply.

• The Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund provides support to children with cancer and their families.  It is able to provide financial assistance and respite breaks.

• Crackerjacks Children’s Trust has just reopened after the pandemic and is able to consider grants for specialist equipment and sensory toys up to £700.  It also has a holiday home for respite breaks.

• Awards for Young Musicians provides financial help to support musical growth for young people aged 5 to 17 years with family on low income.

• The Performing Arts Children's Charity provides opportunities for children aged 6 - 19 years with physical/learning difficulties with drama, music and movement workshops. It is currently enrolling for workshops in Colchester, Eastleigh and Hampton

Adults and Families

• Family Action is currently only able to provide Welfare Grants for essential household items to people over 60 years.  It is also able to provide grants to women living within Greater London.

• The One-Handed Musical Instrument Trust helps unite people with adapted instruments that enable them to make music despite an impairment.

• Online tailored access to the Certificate in Foundation Journalism (CFJ).  Open to disabled in receipt of DLA or PIP. Closing date: 15th April, 2022.

• Unpaid carers in Wales will receive a one-off payment in recognition of the role they played during the pandemic from the Welsh Government.  It is available to those in receipt of the Carers Allowance on the 31^st March 2022.  Claims can be made to local authorities later this year.

• The Scottish Government is introducing the Scottish Carer’s Assistance to replace the Carers Allowance.  It is planned to have an additional payment of more than £500 a year to those who care for more than one person and additional support of young carers.  The Scottish Government is consulting and would like your views.  Closing date: 23^rd May 2022.

Community

• The “I’ve got an Idea Fund” is currently open for applications.  It is open to individuals, small groups or organisations who have a novel idea that will deliver a social or environmental benefit.  Grants range from £250 to £3,000.  It has previously funded Sound Gadgets to help disabled young people enjoy creating music at home.

• The Toy Trust Fund is open to small registered charities to fund equipment and services to disabled and disadvantaged children under 13 years in the UK.  Grants up to £5,000.  Applications must arrive by mid-June for the July meeting of trustees.

• The People's Postcode Lottery are offering funding for nature items for schools and grants for small charities and community groups.

• The Canoe Foundation has a new funding pot for projects in the UK up to a maximum of £10,000.  Projects may include the improving access to the water and ramps.  Closing date: 19^th April 2022.

• The Screwfix Foundation supports projects that help fix, maintain and improve properties and community facilities.  This may include adding heating systems and redecorating homes for those living with disability and sickness.  Next closing date: 10^th May 2022

• Grants available for summer play schemes between £500 and £1,000 from the Woodward Charitable Trust. Closing date: 14^th April 2022.

• Free, printable resources are now available in Ukrainian and several key languages to support refugees from Ukraine in need of a quick way to communicate basic needs, feelings and medical information.

• Free e-learning module: The role of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the EHCO process.

• Aspire will be releasing three EmployAbility Leisure Guides to help increase the number of disabled people training and working in leisure industry.  Release date: 31^st March 2022.

• Learning disability training for all nurses to be mandated in law.

• Check out our colouring book for kids"Everyone's Different" with positive images of children with additional needs.

Please don't forget that Disability Grants is a shared resource where everyone helps each other..... So, do participate and share your knowledge and experiences.

Help and Be Helped

All the best

Julia Tyrrell

Founder of Disability Grants

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