Funding Round-up – Grants & Support for Carers (Part 1), Winter 2024

MVA offer a collection of announcements focusing on themes of funding and support for Carers, aimed at helping charities and similar groups continue their work.

Whilst every effort has been made to provide up-to-date information, due to the varying nature and progress of public policies and other related activity, MVA do advise that some of the details below may have changed since the time of its issue and ask that readers please check with each organisation’s website for the latest news.

Support and Assistance from The Respite Association
The Respite Association offers assistance and support to carers and those who are looking after loved ones through offering respite and related services.

Launched in 2001, The Respite Association was created by a group that have first-hand experience of the stress put on carers, who realised there was very little support available for those caring for loved ones.

The Association say they can offer short term assistance in the funding of appropriately qualified respite care for disabled, sick, elderly or terminally ill persons so that their regular carer can be allowed to take a break.

They can also provide free holiday breaks for carers, enabling them to recharge their batteries.

At the time of writing, there is no recognised deadline, suggesting this scheme is a Continuous Rolling Programme and enquiries can be made at any time.

For more information on grants and breaks, visit the Respite Association website. Application forms for grants and breaks are also available by email at help@respiteassociation.org, or call 01566 783 383.

The 3H Foundation
The 3H Foundation continue to help people with disabilities and carers have a period of respite through their holiday grants and carer programme.

Formerly known as Helping Hands for Holidays (3H) The Foundation has been working for over 40 years supporting those with disabilities and carers to have holidays and short respite breaks.

They work with like-minded partner organisations to deliver opportunities for those with disabilities to have a holiday away independently from their day-to-day carers through their group holiday programme.

They can also help families with a disabled family member to have a holiday in the UK by awarding a modest grant, and carers could apply for a carer grant enabling them to have a period of individual respite or separate break for themselves.

As getting away for a few hours is important for carers, they can also provide short respite breaks where adult carers are able to relax including afternoon teas, pamper hampers or spa days.

The Foundation’s TeensPLUS programme enables young people with disabilities and young carers (aged 13 – 25) to take part in home-based activity challenges, receive a young carer hamper or a day out with a partner organisation.

At the time of writing, whilst their support programmes have no recognised deadline and enquiries can be made at any time, The Foundation say they are not currently taking application forms as they are assessing the ones already received:

But reassure interested parties they are scheduled to RELAUNCH THEIR CALL FOR APPLICATIONS IN FEBRUARY 2024.

More information can be found on The 3H Foundation’s website.

Information and Support from Carers Support East Kent
Carers Support East Kent provides emotional support, information, advice, and guidance to those who care unpaid for a relative or friend.

Namely supporting the Dover, Deal, Sandwich, and Thanet districts, they work to support carers over the age of 18 who care for a family member or friend who is ill, frail or has a physical, mental, or learning disability.

Amongst their various services, the group say Carers can self-refer by phone, by self-referral form or coming in to the Carers' Centre. They can also be referred through a professional.

At the time of writing, they are available by telephone Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and their Carer Centre is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 2pm.

More information can be found on their website, or call their team on 0300 302 0061.

Local grant giver and community support organisation Kent Community Foundation (KCF) also has services that can offer support to individuals and families in need. To find out more, you can contact KCF on 01303 814 500.

MVA continues its efforts to provide coverage of local and national news and events from the Voluntary and Charity Sector.

If you would like to see coverage of specific news or subject to help your charity, your project, your community group or enterprise, you can get in touch by email at info@mva.org.uk, you can also contact MVA via the website.