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The West Kent Family Grapevine - Summer 2021
Holidays for those with disabilities can be diffi cult to fi nd and this was exactly the scenario faced by a Kent couple back in the early seventies who had a son with severe disabilities. They wanted a family holiday together but fi nding a safe and adapted venue proved to be a challenge. They knew they weren’t the only family facing this dilemma but felt that having disabilities shouldn’t prevent someone from having a break away; the chance to try new things and make new friends. Terry and Muriel Godwin formed 3H Fund (Helping Hands for Holidays) formerly known as 3H Fund (Help the Handicapped Holiday Fund) in 1975 to provide holiday opportunities for their son and families who faced similar needs. 45 years later the charity is still organising holidays for children and adults with disabilities! To help boost much needed funding, the charity opened its fi rst ‘charity’ shop in 1980 in Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells which was open for 22 years! The shop was very successful and raised vital funds to enable the charity to continue its work. A second shop was subsequently opened in Tonbridge in 1989. The two annual holidays organised by Muriel became extremely popular and with the generosity of local businesses and fundraising from individuals, in 1984 3H extended their number of holidays to three a year. Over the coming years, the number of holidays increased and included journeys abroad. In 2005 the availability of additional funding meant that a grant programme could be set up to enable low income families with a disabled member to organise their own holiday in the UK. This initiative has become so popular over the years that it is always oversubscribed as families approach the charity for fi nancial help towards a break.
Fundraising is still the most challenging aspect as, without help from trusts, businesses and individuals, the charity would be unable to continue but with the generosity of volunteers, trusts and businesses 3H have been able to set up three new initiatives to support people with disabilities and their carers in the last ten years.
3H has previously welcomed Gloria Hunniford and Peter Sissons as patrons of the Charity and more recently gold winning paralympian, Dr Karen Darke, joined the charity as its new patron in July 2020.
TeensPlus, formerly TeensOut, supports organisations who work with young people aged 13 – 25 with disabilities and young carers. The programme provides home based activities and funding for days out.
The Carers’ Programme off ers adult carers time for themselves during an organised spa day of pampering and rest at a magnifi cent hotel set in peaceful and stunning countryside. The programme also provides ‘pamper hampers’ and afternoon teas.
