richmond carers fund- please apply

amberjade_2

I thought some of you may be able to apply-


Funding available for Carers

As carer to a child with disabilities and/or additional need I thought you might like to know about the NHS Carers Breaks Funding available to carers living in the Richmond borough. Carer/s are eligible if they have a long term health problem, or whose health or wellbeing is affected by their caring situation, for example back injury or stress related illness.

An individual can apply for a one off payment of £350 or if both parents are carers with a health issue then you can apply for £500. The money should be used to support the carer/s have a positive break, so for example it can be used to pay for a professional baby sitter or befriender for your child which would enable you to have some time for yourself. Three Wings Trust offer a specialist sitting service and could help you find the right person to supervise your child (Sue Robson on 020 8831 6178). Alternatively, you could use it for a series of massages or stress relieving therapies or take a holiday break either with or without your children. Basically anything that would give you a positive benefit towards your own health needs.

If you would like to apply please contact me to arrange a mutual time to meet up so that I may refer you for a funding application.

Lena
Disability Information & Advice Coordinator to access
Email: info@accessinfoservice.com
Tel: 0845 6048348

Three Wings Trust (Charity No.1046531)
Supporting Children & Young People with Additional Needs

morledge142

thanks for this, is this richmond as in north yorkshire so not available to other areas of the uk.

i think it might be available through other councils - you have reminded me i will look into this as my son and i are both registered disabled and he is also homeschooled so would be great for us both some me time.

amberjade_2

It is Richmond Surrey but do check as there may be money around if we look hard enough.

I also homeschool my daughter. GP is going to get her assessed for ADD- she may have it as cannot cope in groups and lashes out, interrupts, etc. Or it may be bad behaviour.... let's see.

morledge142

my son is the same, i tried him at a couple of home school groups but even they were too crowded.

he has 1 to 1 swimming lessons and has picked it up really well and tried climbing over 1/2 term so am thinking of signing him up for that as well, but the total will then be £30 per week, so we do put his dla to good use.

he is possible asd/dyslexia as school was no help whatsover for the first couple of years he went.

will try social fund as well but there are always so many stuff to be fighting foer us both dla/esa etc it is a fulltime job in itself, but we love being at home and suits us both.

all the best.

kingfisherblue

Carer break funding varies from area to area - ask at your local carer's centre if you have one. Last year I was awarded £600 for relaxation therapies; the amount was high because of the level of care my son needs and my family situation (lone parent). Some carers received £600 as I did, others received £300.

morledge142

thank you i think i will make this my priority this week to see what funding there is out there.

have downloaded family fund form as have been menaing to for ages and not got round to it .

all the best kingfisherblue.:)

kingfisherblue

Morledge, have you tried Caudwell Children? I know that they sometimes fund certain therapies - not sure about climbing, but might be worth a try. You could also google 'funding for disabled children' and the name of your town.

The Family Fund are great - there is such a wide range of things that you can apply for. If you have applied previously, and want something from a specific list (including holiday, days out, bedding or white goods), you can apply online. It takes up to 12 weeks for a postal application, but online applications are much quicker. Last year I received my award within five days (applied Monday, received Friday), this year it took eleven days.

morledge142

thanks kingfb.

i have applied to family fund so will see where that goes.

took my son climbing for 1st time with me watching, then took him back again and his dad went with him.

i was hoping to keep it up for him. in hols it was only "10 but now it is about £20 a week for 1 to 1, but he won't go without his dad.
this would be another £30.

i notticed on form it said does he need support from someone, well i know he wants to go but don;t think he will go on his own, does his dad count as support.

don;t think oh would want to keep going so may have to be occasional or just try again on his own like swimming lessons and hope he gets better at going alone, as he reallly did like it.

kingfisherblue

Dad would count as support - it might be worth asking if dad can go along for free as your son's support/carer. Alternatively, if the lessons are 1:1, ask why additional support is needed - would your son need two adults to access the climbing?

Another thing to consider is Christmas - would any family or friends be prepared to pay for a lesson or two as a present? Would your son like this, or would he prefer something that he can unwrap? My son is very difficult to buy for, so a trip somewhere would be a good present for him (not climbing though - he has tried it, but didn't really enjoy himself). It might help a couple of relatives who are stuck for a present, as well as helping you financially, and most importantly, your son would get to do something that he really wants to do.

Good luck x