Herefordshire Funding Opportunities Update July 2016 Useful Contacts

Disability Projects

Access Technology and grants for visually impaired children and Young People

Purpose: Blind Children UK’s Access Technology team gives advice on choosing the most appropriate technology to help children and young people with a vision impairment study and play. We work across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We also offer a grants programme that allows families to apply for recommended items they otherwise wouldn’t be able to access.  Grant applications will be considered for technology or sensory items, which are in support of the charity’s vision and where no source of statutory funding will pay for the item required.
Who can apply: Applications will be considered from or on behalf of children and young persons under 25 years who are registered (or eligible to be registered) as Blind or partially sighted. A qualified VI professional must support all grant applications.


Amount Available: This depends on the value of the item needed. Blind Children UK require a minimum 10% contribution towards the total cost of the items including VAT, should the application be successful and funding is awarded.

Deadline: Applications can be made at any time.

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund

Purpose; The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund is a registered charity which was established to provide both research and project funding in the area of learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected by learning disability. The Trust consider under learning disability the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, they consider projects concerning children or adults and will fund capital and revenue.
Who can apply: Applications will only be considered from voluntary organisations which are registered charities or are associated with a registered charity. Schools and Parent Teacher Associations and Industrial & Provident Societies can also apply.
Amount available: Small Grants of up to £10,000. Main grants of £10,000 and over.
Deadlines: Applications greater than £10,000 next deadline 1^st August. Application for project funding for £10,000 or less can be submitted at any time.

Wolfson Foundation – Disability and Special Needs Grants

Purpose: Through the programme, the Wolfson Foundation, makes grants to organisations working with people with disabilities and/or the elderly which are providing excellent services. Grants are awarded towards:

• 
  New buildings, refurbishments and equipment, with the aim of increased access to services for new and existing users
  
• 
  Improved quality and range of services
  
• 
  Improved financial stability of the organisation.
  

The Foundation are particularly interested in hearing from organisations working with disabilities for which it may be harder to raise funds from the public or those offering employment opportunities. They are also interested in the transition from children's to adults' services, recognising the particular difficulties for this age group. Special schools and special colleges are eligible to apply under this funding programme.

Who can apply: Registered Charities
Amount Available: The size of these grants varies from around £15,000 to £100,000. Larger grants are given to key, strategic projects deemed ambitious and well thought-out, with a clear long-term focus. Charities are encouraged not to apply more than once every five years. Match funding is required for projects over £50,000.
Deadline: Stage 1 applications are accepted throughout the year. If your intention is to apply to the Spring funding round (Stage 2 deadline in March and funding decision in June), you should submit a Stage 1 application no later than 5 January. For the Autumn funding round (Stage 2 deadline in September and funding decision in December), your Stage 1 application should reach us no later than 1 July. - See more at: http://www.wolfson.org.uk/funding/how-to-apply/stage-1-applications/#sthash.w9L12LPs.dpuf

Gardening for the Disabled Trust

Purpose: Grants are available to individuals via the Gardening for Disabled Trust in order that they may continue to garden, despite advancing illness, age or disability. Money is given to successful grant applicants and often transforms the recipient as well as the garden, replacing a source of frustration by a valuable therapy and sense of satisfaction. Those helped by the Trust include:

• 
  A wide range of disabilities including visual, physical and mental
  
• 
  People who need to reorganise gardens because of health issues
  
• 
  Residents in long stay hospitals or nursing homes who share a garden,
  

but do not provide a gardener for general maintenance, pay for clearing or fencing.

Who can apply: In order to apply for a grant, individuals must be a member of the Trust's Garden Club and have a written note from their GP, social worker or occupational therapist, describing their disability.

Amount available: Not specified

Deadline: This is an open programme, so applications can be made at any time.

Grants to assist individuals with acquired physical disability - Paul Bush Foundation Trust

Purpose: The Paul Bush Foundation Trust was set up by Bush & Company Rehabilitation in 2012, after over 25 years experience in the field of severe and catastrophic injury, with the following aims:

• 
  To assist those with an acquired physical disability, as a result of an accident or birth injury to improve their physical, psychological and emotional well-being via the provision of grants to address individual needs.
  
• 
  To support registered charitable organisations in England whose objectives are solely related to the provision of services to people with an acquired disability as a result of an accident or birth injury.
  

Who can apply: Grants are available to registered charities who are working to support the needs of adults and children with acquired physical disabilities in England.

Amount available: the maximum grant for an organisation is £10,000. The maximum grant for an individual is £5000.

Deadline: The Trustees meet twice yearly in April and October with successful applicants being advised by 1st November and 1st May each year.