Overview
This guide provides general information on various grants available to help fund a holiday or respite break. It includes a range of Scottish and UK based trust funds. Some of them require applications to be made by a third party, such as a social worker or health professional.
All grants are discretionary and subject to available funding. Eligibility criteria may change so please contact any fund that you are interested in before applying, where possible. It can take a long time for decisions to be made and it is important that you do not book your holiday until you have secured funding.
Grants and Trust Funds
Take a Break
Summary:
Take a Break provide grants to families living in Scotland. A Take a Break grant can be used towards a break, outing or sport activity, or other activity in the UK or overseas. Funding may also be used to purchase equipment required for a break such as bikes or camping equipment.
Applications:
Applications are accepted from people caring for a disabled child or young person aged 0-20, or directly from disabled young people. Applications must have permanent legal residency in the UK and have lived in Scotland for 6 months. Application form is downloadable from the website.
Contact:
Tel: 01904571093
Email: info@takeabreakscotland.org.uk
The Adamson Trust
Summary:
Provides financial assistance for holidays/respite care for young disabled people aged seventeen and under with either a physical, mental or emotional disability. Funding cannot be given towards the cost of accompanying adults.
Applications:
Individual families can apply, as well as groups and organisations. Applications are considered all year round, however they only meet four times a year, see website for specific dates. Application forms can be downloaded from the website.
Contact:
Contact via the webform on their website. Or Contact:
The Administrator, The Adamson Trust, PO BOX 7227, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 9AL
The Disability Aid Trust
Summary:
Provide financial assistance for individuals or groups of people with a physical disability who are planning to take a holiday but who cannot afford to pay the expenses of essential helpers.
Applications:
To qualify applications must be supported by a ‘bona fide’ organisation, doctor or social worker, willing to verify that the applicant meets the scheme’s requirements. Applications are reviewed and funds allocated twice a year. Application form is downloadable from the website.
Contact:
Tel:0800 028 0647
Email: secretary@disabilityaidtrust.org.uk
Family Holiday Charity
Summary:
Provides grants to enable families to go on holiday. Includes funding for one week holidays/short breaks or day trips for families with at least one child of three or over, who couldn’t otherwise afford a holiday. Families must not have had a holiday for 4 years. Families with a disabled or seriously ill child should apply to the Family Fund before making an application to the Family Holiday Charity
Applications:
The charity only accepts applications from referring agents. Application forms must be completed online and are available to download from the 1st of November onwards for holidays the following year.
Contact:
Tel: 0203 117 0650
Email: hello@familyholidaycharity.org.uk
Website: https://familyholidaycharity.org.uk/
The Family Fund
Summary:
Supports families caring for severely disabled children with grants for family breaks and other essential items such as white goods, clothing, computers and sensory toys. Holiday awards include breaks with Haven or Butlins.
Applications:
Applications for a Family Fund grant can be made by the parent or carer of the disabled child or young person. Young people aged 16 and 17 can make an application in their own right. Applications form is downloadable from the website.
Contact:
Tel: 01904 550055
Email: info@familyfund.org.uk or use web contact form.
Mary MacArthur Holiday Trust
Summary:
Provide holidays for women in need of a holiday who are unable to afford one. The Trust aims to provide a break needed at a crucial time. The maximum available for any holiday is normally £350.00.
Applications:
Must be supported by a sponsoring body or person. Grants are limited to women, aged 18 years or older. Applications must not have had a holiday in recent years. Preference is given to women who are, or have been normally in employment.
Contact:
Tel: 02920 359 091
Email: cheryl.andrews@mmht.org.uk
Short breaks for carers
Ogilvie Charities Holidays and Respite Fund for Carers
Summary:
Grants are made to support respite holidays for carers. The primary aim is to give a complete break to a carer while the person cared for is receiving respite care. In exceptional circumstances the Trust may assist where the carer and cared for wish to holiday together. Typical grants range from £200 to £300.
Applications:
Applications must be made through a social worker, community nurse or similar professional agency.
Contact:
Tel: 01394 388 746
Email: info@ogilviecharities.org.uk
Carer Centres
Funding is often available to help carers take a break from their caring role. Carers should seek advice on grants from their local carers centre. You can search for your local carers centre at the Carers Trust.
Free holidays/breaks
Respitality Scotland
Summary:
Respitality (respite breaks + hospitality) is a project which seeks to make connections between local organisations that support unpaid carers and local hospitality providers, such as hotels, guest houses, leisure clubs etc. The idea is that local businesses and organisations are able to make a ‘gift’ to a carer (plus companion). Examples could include a short break away, gift of a day-pass to a leisure club or spa, or a voucher to dinner for two- there are lots of possibilities.
Contact:
Tel: 01383 622 462
Further information and useful contacts
The Disability Information Scotland helpline can help you find further information- contact us
Disability Information Scotland can also provide information on accessible holiday destinations, hiring equipment when travelling, travel insurance, tour operators and accessible tourist attractions.
You can search for Grants and Trusts and TURN2US
Shared Care Scotland is a national charity that works to improve the quality, choice and availability of short beaks (respite care) provision across Scotland.
Tel: 01383 622 462
Email: office@sharedcarescotland.com
Information last updated on 15 March 2024. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
If you would like this information guide in another version then please contact us and we will post or email you a copy.
Holidays and Leisure, Money, Benefits and Grants:Frequently Asked Questions
Through our helpline we receive enquiries spanning a wide range of different topics. Here is a selection of those most asked:
Can I get a reduction of Vehicle Excise Duty?
If you are disabled you may be entitled to a reduction or exemption of vehicle tax. The vehicle must be registered in your name or a specific driver’s name and must only be used for your personal needs.
You can apply for exemption if you get the:
- higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
- War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment standard rate mobility component Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
You can find out more here Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What help is there with energy costs?
Energy costs used to be a worry in winter but now bills can be a challenge all year round.
The good news is there are different grants and schemes available to help people improve the heating in their homes and keep heating costs down.
Home Energy Scotland is a free energy advice service funded by the Scottish Government to help people save money and keep their homes warmer. They offer simple energy saving tips, and know about funding schemes and how to access them.
Their website Home Energy Scotland offers help with finding funding, reducing your bills, making your home warmer and living a greener life. You can call them on 0808 808 2282
Holidays and Leisure, Money, Benefits and Grants:Search for Local Organisations
Our quick search tool can connect you to over 3000 service providers, suppliers and organisations supporting people across Scotland. To find support near you, simply enter your search term and select your local authority.
| Organisation | Description |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen Action on Disability Ltd | Promote the integration of all disabled people into the community |
| Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau | Provide information to people living in the local area |
| Aberdeenshire South Foodbank | Services provided: The area covered by the ASFB extends from the edge of Aberdeen City west to Braemar and from Strathdon to Portlethen, Stonehaven and Inverbervie. To obtain a food parcel from the Foodbank you must have been referred to them by a fron… |
| Aberdeenshire Support and Advice Team (ASAT) | Provide welfare rights advice |
| Able Deen | Loan of mobility equipment, safe space, signposting |
| Able Radio | Online radio station presenting shows at the heart of the disabled community |
| About purchasing zero-rated adapted vehicles | Guidance on what you need to know about purchasing adapted vehicles free of VAT if you are disabled |
| ACCESS Angus | ACCESS Angus is the way for Angus citizens to access council services |
| Access Scottish Theatre | Search for accessible performances in theatres across Scotland |
| Access to Elected Office Fund | Providing financial support for disabled people standing in Local Authority and Scottish Parliament elections to address impairment-related barriers and disadvantages. |
