Times are tough for many families during the cost of living crisis. We understand the impact of financial hardship on the well-being and mental health of both children and their families. These issues are compounded for those families living with a chronic condition or lifelong illness. 

To support these families, we have compiled a list of organisations that provide financial relief to families. These include the provision of family funds and grants, equipment and travel costs for parents and carers of children living with chronic conditions.

Charitable Trusts Supporting Families

• Family Fund - UK's largest grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income. Family Fund
• The Adamson Trust -financial help with the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children aged between 3 and 17 with physical, mental or emotional impairments.  The Adamson Trust - disabled children's holiday charity
• Mary Strand Charitable Trust - the relief of hardship or distress within the British Isles caused by poverty, sickness, disabilities or old age by the making of grants of money.  Contact by email [email protected] or call 0161 817 2222. 
• Wavelength Charity Limited - operating UK-wide and aims to tackle the effects of loneliness and isolation by providing radio, television sets, & computer equipment for UK citizens, in particular older people, people who are vulnerable or disabled and people who are disadvantaged by illness or social isolation. In all cases, priority is given where our help will significantly relieve loneliness. Wavelength     
• The League of the Helping Hand - one-off and quarterly payments to individuals in hardship due to illness or disability throughout the UK.  Linking Help with Hope
• Fund for Human Need - makes grants of up to £200 each to refugees, asylum seekers, the homeless and others suffering personal distress. Fund for Human Need
• Variety The Children’s Charity - provides practical help that makes an immediate difference to disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.  Home - Variety, the Children's Charity
• Cash for Kids Cost-of-Living Fund - an emergency essentials fund to support children and young people who are struggling. Grants are £50 per child, per household (UK-wide). Cost-of-Living Grant | Cash for Kids
• Buttle UK - dedicated to helping children and young people in crisis in the UK: those living in financial hardship and dealing with multiple challenging social issues.  Chances for Children grants target those living in financial hardship and dealing with multiple challenging social issues. Buttle - Chances for Children Grants
• The Trades House of Glasgow - Drapers' Fund supports children, aged up to and including 17 years of age and their carers in the wider Glasgow area where there is great and urgent need. Tradeshouse - Charitable Drapers
• Aberlour - Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund can provide immediate relief to families with children (aged 21 and under) who are suffering extreme hardship. Families who are struggling to provide food, heating and clothing for their children. Aberlour - Urgent Assistance Fund
• The Trussel Trust - We support a nationwide network of food banks and together we provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK. Find a Food Bank - The Trussell Trust
• Scope UK There are places where you can get free or cheap food. You do not need a referral. Free food and food banks | Disability Charity Scope UK
• Transport Scotland - free bus travel for young people under 22. Transport Scotland
• Young Patient Family Fund - If you're the parent, primary carer or sibling (aged under 18) of a young inpatient under the age of 18 receiving hospital care, you can claim for the costs of travel and food in Scotland. Young Patients Family Fund
• Children Today - helps children and young people with disabilities up to the age of 25 across the UK by providing specialised equipment to help offer an improved quality of life. Children Today
• Disability Information Scotland - reliable, accurate and accessible information for people living with disability in Scotland. Disability Scotland
• The Orange Foundation - Provides support to individuals and families living with cancer by delivering practical support. The Orange Foundation