🏖️ Free Holidays for Disabled Children & Families — What’s Available and How to Access Them

Families of children with disabilities often shoulder extra costs, stress, and barriers — making a proper holiday feel almost impossible. But there are grants, charities, and programmes that offer free or heavily subsidised breaks. Below is a guide to what is available now, how you can apply — and what you should ask your local authority to check

Provider / Programme	What They Offer	Eligibility / Notes	Link
Family Fund — Family Break Grants	Grants for accessible UK or overseas family breaks via partners like Haven, Butlin’s, etc.	Must be a low‑income family raising a disabled or seriously ill child. Breaks must be booked within 6 months. (Family Fund)	Family Fund — Family Breaks
The 3H Foundation — Holiday Grants	Awards between £250 and £550 toward UK accommodation cost.	For low income families with disabled members. Grants go to venue directly. (the3hfoundation.org.uk)	3H Foundation Holiday Grants
Henry Smith Charity — Holiday Grants for Children	Grants to youth groups / schools to take disabled children (<13) on trips	Only for organisations, not individual families. (Henry Smith)	Henry Smith Holiday Grants
Family Holiday Charity / Other Charities	Low‑cost or subsidised holiday accommodation for families, illness conditions	Check region and terms. (Family Holiday Charity)	Family Holiday Charity & Resources
Local Authority / LA Programmes	In some LAs, councils or “Local Offer” pages list holiday breaks, accessible grants, day visits, subsidised trips	Depends heavily on region; contact your LA’s children’s services or disability team	—

🏛️ What Your Local Authority Should Provide (Ask For These)

• Accessible holiday/short break schemes: Many LAs have “short breaks” budgets for children with disabilities.
• Respite or day‑trip programmes: Even if full holiday is not offered, councils sometimes provide day out schemes or smaller breaks.
• Grants via local charities: Some LAs partner with charities and allocate funding locally.
• Local Offer listings: Every LA has a Local Offer website — search “holiday breaks”, “short breaks”, “respite holidays”.
• Assistance via social care or disability services: If your child is receiving services, ask whether interventions include break support.

---

🛠 How to Apply & Increase Your Chances

1. Keep an up-to-date list
   Bookmark the providers above and your LA’s offers. Grant windows often open and close fast.
2. Prepare documents
   Prove diagnosis, disability, extra needs, financial situation. Use doctor, therapist, school statements.
3. Write a strong story
   Explain why this break matters — to mental health, recovery, family connection. Give concrete detail.
4. Don’t pre‑book
   Wait until approval arrives. Many grants won’t reimburse bookings made beforehand.
5. Stay persistent
   If one round is closed, check back often. Some programmes reopen.
6. Use AskEllie+
   You can draft your application, check eligibility, and get help with wording via the AI tool.

---

📌 Why This Matters

These holidays aren’t just “nice extras” — for many families they’re lifelines. A good break can help:

• Reduce burnout and improve mental health
• Let your child feel included and rested
• Rebuild relationships without constant stress
• Give you energy to continue fighting for justice in education, health, and social care