WHAT IS THE ACCESS FUND?

The Access Fund is a grant to help disabled children and young people to participate in the community. This can be any daytime, evening, or weekend activity that the child or young person enjoys whilst their parent/carer has a break from caring. The Access Fund seeks to support children and young people to take part in inclusive activities alongside their non-disabled peers. This fund supports activities which will make a positive difference to the child over a 12 month period. The scheme runs until further notice. Anyone with parental consent can apply on behalf of the child or young person.

WHAT CAN THE ACCESS FUND BE USED FOR?

The fund aims to benefit individuals or groups of disabled children and young people by providing support to ensure children and young people can take part in local activities. This may include sporting, leisure or recreational, and musical activities or participation in local groups.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR AN ACCESS FUND GRANT?

The Access Fund is open to any disabled child or young person living in Newcastle aged 0-17 years (inclusive) and who meets at least one of the following criteria:

- Child or young person in receipt of higher or middle rate Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Young person in receipt of the standard or enhanced rates of Personal Independence Payment Daily Living component
- Child or young person subject to a Statement of Special Educational Need, Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Those children who are not eligible to apply for the Access Fund are children with a Child in Need plan which is resourced by the Children with Disabilities Service (Children with a personal budget).

FUNDING FOR SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT

We only consider funding equipment which is essential to the child’s activity. Families will be signposted to other funding available for specialist or computing equipment. We do have some information on charities that may assist with other types of equipment. Please email Brian or Alyson at Nunsmoor who can give you this information.

How to apply and what to include

Complete an Access Fund application form in full. Your application must explain how you will use this grant to promote the inclusion of children and young people with disabilities in their communities, aswell as stating what outcomes this will give. Applications of up to £500 will be considered.

All applications should be forwarded to Brian Graham and Alyson Hampshire via email.

Parent/Carer’s Application Form

Group Application Form

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

- Your application will be acknowledged by telephone or email as soon as possible
- Your application will be considered by the Access Fund Advisory Panel which will be meeting regularly
- We will get in touch with all applicants to let them know the panel’s decision

This fund has been made available by Newcastle City Council’s Children with Disabilities Service to support disabled children and families to have short breaks.

If this information is needed in another format or language please phone 0191 277 4400.

GRANTS FOR ORGANISATIONS

The Access Panel can also award grants of up to £500 to organisations to:

1. Enable them to provide young people or children with additional needs to access the activities which they provide or;
2. Alternatively if they are a group who work with children or young people, with a disability the funding would enable the organisation to access additional activities/outings/opportunities for the children or young people with whom they work. For full details please email nunsmoor.trust@gmail.com.

Testimonials

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