difference

make a difference FAMILY FUND GRANTS

CORONAVIRUS HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON FAMILIES ALL ACROSS THE UK. FROM LOSS OF INCOME TO ACCESS TO SUPPORT SERVICES AND ABILITY TO WORK, CORONAVIRUS HAS PARTICULARLY INCREASED THE EXISTING PRESSURES ON MANY FAMILIES RAISING DISABLED AND SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN

Disabled children’s charity Family Fund, which provides grants to families on low incomes raising disabled or seriously ill children across the UK, has received extra funding in response to this increased need. It received £10 million from the Department for

Education to help families in England, and extra funding from Scottish Government to support over 500 more families in Scotland.

Family Fund provides essential grants for items such as computers and tablets, sensory toys, outdoor play equipment, furniture and kitchen appliances to help break down many of the barriers families face, and can make family life easier. Families are able to apply for what they think would benefit their child and their family the most, whether it be a day trip to the seaside, or a grant for new clothing and bedding.

Families who have not received a grant from Family Fund on or since 1 April, and who think they may be eligible for support can apply for a grant immediately.

THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON FAMILIES

To understand more about the impact Coronavirus has had on the families the Family Fund have supported, they conducted a survey at the beginning of lockdown and then again at the beginning of May, to find out what issues have particularly affected families. 94% of families said the health and wellbeing of their disabled or seriously ill children had been negatively affected, an increase from 89% in first few weeks of the lockdown.

89% said their disabled or seriously ill children’s behaviour and emotions were being negatively affected and 82% reported a negative effect on their mental health.

65% said their access to formal support services for their child, such as physiotherapy and mental health services, has declined since the Coronavirus outbreak.

You can read the full survey results at Family Fund’s website: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/news/ health-and-wellbeing-of-disabled-children-at-riskunder-pandemic-as-government-announces-extra-10- million-funding-for-children-with-complex-needs

CASE STUDY: EVAN

Evan is 16 years old and has quad dystonic cerebral palsy. Grace, Evan’s Mum, says: “Evan is very physically disabled due to his condition. He relies on others for every aspect of his care and needs.”

“He communicates by eye-pointing to say yes, or no, and whilst he can understand what we are saying to him, it’s not always easy for Evan to communicate everything he wants to.”

Evan likes his routine. “He wants things to happen as he expects and if it doesn’t he can get himself a bit worked up which in turn, can trigger his dystonic spasms.” Dystonia causes muscles to contract and spasm uncontrollably. “He can usually be calmed or distracted with music. Uptown Funk is his personal favourite and we frequently sing it – usually quite badly by me when I shower Evan, which he finds hugely amusing but also makes the process go a lot smoother.”

Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, Evan needed something to keep him occupied and distracted from the stress of Coronavirus. “Evan has been watching the government ‘Stay at Home’ adverts and advice between programmes and he has a tendency to take things very literally, so it has been a challenge to get him to agree to go outside, even into the garden.”

Grace applied for an iPad. “The grant has been fab. I’ve downloaded some music and Evan can watch his beloved Formula 1 channel while sat in the garden, and I can be sure he’s getting fresh air and vitamin D.”

To find out more about Family Fund and whether you are eligible to apply, you can visit www.familyfund.org.uk, or contact them on 01904 550055, or via email at info@familyfund.org.uk

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