Variety Club - Equipment Grants

Background

Funding is provided by the Variety Club.

Objectives of Fund

The funding is intended to support organisations which work with sick, disabled or disadvantaged children up to and including the age of 18 years. There is particular interest in providing funding for specialist equipment for direct use by children.

Value Notes

There is no lower or upper limit on the level of grant which may be awarded, but most grants are for less than £5,000. Many requests are for sums under £1,000.

Who Can Apply

Applications can be made from non-profit making groups and organisations working with children up to, and including, the physical age of 18 years. These include statutory bodies (schools and hospitals), hospices and small registered charities. These applications must also be supported by a letter from medical professional.

Applications can be made on behalf of individual children. These must be supported by a letter from an appropriately qualified medical professional, such as an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or paediatrician

Location

United Kingdom

Restrictions

Funding is not available for the following:

• Standard household equipment/furnishings.
• Repayment of loans.
• Garden adaptions.
• Garden sheds or summerhouses.
• Cost of a family/wheelchair adapted vehicle.
• Administrative/salary costs.
• Laptops, iPads, computer hardware.
• Vehicle adaptations.
• Maintenance or on-going costs.
• Travel costs.
• Therapy sessions.
• Reimbursement of funds already paid out.
• Hire, rental costs or down payments.
• Trips abroad or holiday costs.
• Trampolines (due to safety aspect).
• Medical treatment or research.
• Education/tuition fees.
• Trikes, bikes or buggies.
• Outdoor hot tubs.
  

Eligible Expenditure

Grants are awarded for specialist disability equipment that is not available through statutory services and which will be of clear direct benefit to a child or children with a disability/disabilities and/or with special needs.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• In-home and mobile hoists.
• Orthopaedic beds, cots, and seating.
• Personal monitors and alarms.
• Sensory equipment.
• Car seats.
• Standers, walkers and gait trainers.
• Specialist sports equipment.
• Communication aids and software.
• Bathing, showering, and toileting adaptive equipment.
• Sleep systems and travel pods.
• Tough furniture.
• Defibrillators.
• Electrotherapeutic, lycra and scoliosis suits.
• Oxygen generators and airway clearance systems.
• Through-floor lifts.
• Outdoor play equipment.

How To Apply

There are no deadlines. Applications may be submitted at any time.

The average waiting time for funding is around six months.

Application forms along with guidance notes are available to download from the Variety Club website.