What is the fund for?
The Participation Fund has two main purposes:
1. To ensure equitable and fair access to short break activities for disabled children and young people.
2. To remove the simple barriers that may prevent a disabled child or young person from participating in a short break activity in the community.
Short breaks can be during the day, evening or weekend and should be enjoyable opportunities for the child or young person whilst also giving their parent/carer a break from caring.
Examples of how the Participation Fund can help include:
- Purchase of specialist equipment for use within clubs, groups or the community;
- Training staff or volunteers at the activity so they feel confident working with a disabled child or young person;
- Paying for staff or volunteers to gain appropriate qualifications to coach a disabled child or young person;
- Paying for additional hours of existing support workers / teaching assistants.
Who can apply?
Applications for children and young people who are disabled or have significant additional needs that prevent them from accessing opportunities in the community will be considered.
Applications from the following will be accepted:
- Anyone who works with a disabled child or young person aged 0-19 with the families consent.
- A parent/carer of a disabled child or young person aged 0-19 with the support of a professional who the child/young person is known to.
- Clubs or groups within the community that are providing opportunities for disabled children or young people aged 0-19.
How to apply
Copies of the applications for individual children/young people and applications on behalf of a group/club are attached to this page.
Alternatively, if you would like to be sent an application form or require further information please contact The Service Development Officer at the Disabled Children's Team on 01743 282370.