Family Holiday Grants

What help is available for family holidays?

If your family is on a low income and has not had a break together for a long time, there are charities that may be able to help. These organisations fund UK holidays and short breaks for families facing difficult circumstances.

Eligibility typically requires both a financial and circumstantial element. You will usually need to be dealing with a disability, serious illness, caring responsibilities, bereavement, or domestic abuse alongside low income. Grants are usually paid directly to the accommodation provider rather than given as cash to your family.

Demand for these funds is high, and many operate in rounds or have geographic restrictions. Checking the official websites and applying early is important.

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Charities that fund family breaks

The Family Holiday Charity is one of the main organisations offering holiday support. It funds UK breaks for families who have not had a holiday together for an extended period and are facing tough circumstances on top of low income. There is an important requirement: you cannot apply directly. A professional who works with your family, such as a social worker, health visitor, teacher, or support worker from a registered charity or statutory service, must submit the application on your behalf. Check the charity's website at familyholidaycharity.org.uk for full eligibility details and how the referral process works.

Family Fund supports families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person. It can help with a family break as well as other essentials like equipment and clothing. Families can apply directly without needing a professional referrer. Visit familyfund.org.uk to see the current criteria and how to apply.

Happy Days Children's Charity offers family day trips and holiday breaks for children with special educational needs, disabilities, life limiting illness, or those who have experienced abuse, neglect, bereavement, or are young carers. Both parents and professionals can submit applications. Their website at happydayscharity.org explains what is covered and who qualifies.

The 3H Foundation provides grants toward UK break accommodation for disabled people and their carers, as well as unpaid carers seeking respite. Eligibility changes depending on the funding round and geographic area, so you will need to check their current page at the3hfoundation.org.uk to see if your area is included. You can apply directly through their application form.

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Other specialist support

Several other charities offer breaks for people in particular circumstances:

• Revitalise provides respite holidays for disabled people and carers
• Calvert Trust offers accessible outdoor activity holidays
• Carefree arranges breaks for full time unpaid adult carers
• The Honeypot Children's Charity provides respite for young carers
• Break supports children in care, on the edge of care, or leaving care
• Care for the Family runs holidays for single parent families
• YHA offers bursary places for eligible young people

Each charity has its own eligibility rules and application process. Visit their websites directly to find out whether you or your family might qualify.

Finding grants and checking your benefits

If you are not sure where to start, Turn2us runs a free Grants Search tool to help you find charitable funds you might be eligible for. It does not provide holiday funding itself, but it can point you toward smaller local or specialist grants you might otherwise miss. Turn2us also has a Benefits Calculator to check whether you are claiming everything you are entitled to. Visit turn2us.org.uk to access both tools.

Before applying anywhere, make sure you are getting all the benefits your family is due. Extra income from benefits you have not claimed could make a break more affordable, even without a grant.

When you find a scheme that looks relevant, read the eligibility criteria carefully and apply as early as possible. Funding is limited and waiting lists can be long. Always check the specific application route for each charity, as some require professional referrals while others accept direct applications from families. If one charity cannot help, another might.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Grant Eligibility Finder lets you tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application. Try it now →