Disability Grants: Helping families find a funder

Julia Tyrrell’s journey began with the everyday challenges of raising a child with disabilities as a single parent. She has spent the last fourteen years creating and updating her Disability Grants website to offer support and advice for others.

How did Disability Grants begin?

Julia faced difficulties in obtaining funds to cover essential resources for her son. Over the years she has managed to secure grants to help fund trikes, wheelchairs, home adaptations, medical equipment, and specialised holidays. With this support, her son has experienced an enriched life - cycling with friends, enjoying family meals, and even wheelchair abseiling! This journey was made possible by a Family Support Worker, whose retirement left a void that Julia, and a couple of other parents, felt compelled to fill.

When her ‘fairy godmother’ Family Support Worker retired, Julia, alongside other parents, stepped up to continue her work. Julia volunteered to keep parents informed about available grants. Drawing from her experience as a parent and frustrated by the lack of accessible information on grants, Julia decided to create a hub of support - leading to the creation of Disability Grants.

Hope for families looking for funds

Disability Grants has since become a valuable resource for individuals with disabilities and their families. The website offers comprehensive information about charities and trusts in the UK that provide funding for disability-related expenses.

Julia had previously taught computer skills using assistive technology to young people with physical and learning difficulties and was therefore aware and conscious of the need for digital accessibility. It was important to her that the site was designed to save time for busy parents and carers, offering straightforward navigation and clear text to accommodate screen readers and accessibility software.

Jude Sellars, Trust Fund Officer for Cumbria Cerebral Palsy speaks highly of Disability Grants and says it is: “an excellent site which will help many people!”

Julia’s work extends beyond the website. By subscribing to the free monthly newsletter, users can stay updated with the latest news and grant opportunities.

Looking for a guide to grants?

Julia’s dedication to creating a comprehensive guide to grants has been hugely helpful for many. She continues to signpost and update the website with key information such as funding deadlines, and often acts as the link between families and funders.

For more information and to explore available resources, visit Disability Grants at www.disability-grants.org