Help from charities, usually for items the NHS and council don’t provide.
Open, with limitsCharity grant
Grants for families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child: kitchen appliances, beds and bedding, clothing, computers and tablets, sensory toys, outdoor play, specialist trikes, days out and family breaks.
Who can apply: You’re the main carer for a child aged 17 or under, on a low income (working or on benefits). Your child needs a high level of support in at least three of seven areas, such as personal care, communication or supervision. Scotland and Northern Ireland: you can apply every 24 months.
Open, with limits: Open in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England, from 24 September 2026 to the end of March 2027, only families applying for the first time can apply. The Wales programme is closed.
- Nations: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland
- Ages: Up to 17
Sources: Grant programmes · Eligibility · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity grant
Equipment grants of up to £10,000 for things like specialist beds, buggies, car seats and wheelchairs, for physical, medical, learning disability, autism or sensory needs. Emergency equipment loans (a bed or buggy for up to six months) after a sudden change in a child’s condition.
Who can apply: Disabled children in the UK. The grant must be awarded before the 19th birthday. A professional who is actively involved in your child’s care must support the application, and you’ll need your child’s NHS number. Their nurses can talk it through first on 0800 902 0095 (option 3).
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 18
Sources: Equipment grants and loans · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
Open, with limitsCharity equipment
Manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and add-on power, plus wheelchair skills training and clubs.
Who can apply: Under 18 (apply before the 18th birthday), with a physical disability that permanently affects mobility, and you’ve asked your local NHS wheelchair service first.
Open, with limits: Open, but the charity says the wait for an assessment is currently 24 to 36 months. A regional programme with shorter waits is open in parts of northern England and north Wales.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 17
Sources: Apply and eligibility · Regional programme · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
Open, with limitsCharity grant
Help towards specialist equipment, powered wheelchairs, car seats and sensory items for disabled and neurodivergent children.
Who can apply: Under 19, living in the UK, with a disability or long-term illness. Household income below £60,000 (not counting benefits), or getting a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit.
Open, with limits: Specialist equipment and powered wheelchairs are open. Sports equipment, therapy tricycles and buggies are closed, and the charity says to check back in early 2027.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 18
Sources: Equipment · Eligibility · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity grant
Part or full funding for manual, powered, sports and all-terrain wheelchairs, made to suit the child. Variety says it has no preferred suppliers.
Who can apply: Under 19, with a recognised disability or long-term condition that permanently affects mobility. Young people over 13 can apply for themselves.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 18
Sources: Wheelchair grants · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
PausedCharity grant
Hoists, specialist beds and seating, sensory equipment, car seats, standers and walkers, communication aids, bathing and toileting equipment, and sleep systems.
Who can apply: Disabled children and young people. Check the page for the full criteria when it reopens.
Paused: Paused for new applications while Variety clears a backlog. It expects to reopen in January 2027.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 18
Sources: Equipment grants · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity grant
Specialised equipment for disabled children and young people, to help with independence, mobility and joining in.
Who can apply: Disabled children and young people up to 25 across the UK. Call first (01244 335622). You’ll need a reference letter from an OT, physio, consultant or SENCO (not a GP) and a quote.
Open: Open for the next panel, but demand is high, so the charity suggests applying to other charities too.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 25
Sources: How we help · How to apply · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity grant
A volunteer-run charity that only funds equipment, for individual children and for schools.
Who can apply: Children from birth to 18 anywhere in the UK. Email first with what you need, the cost and brief details. They then send a form, which needs backing from a health professional.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 18
Sources: Application guidelines · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity grant
Quick help with basic, essential needs not available elsewhere: specialist medical equipment, mobility equipment, specialist furniture, and educational or sensory equipment.
Who can apply: Families on a low income caring for a child with an illness that may shorten their life. A health professional who knows your child supports the form. Ask React if you’re not sure your child qualifies.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 17
Sources: Apply for assistance · How React can help · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity fundraising
A national charity that fundraises for communication aids for people who are non-verbal, have unclear speech or have learning and communication difficulties. It works with the person’s speech and language therapist to choose the right device.
Who can apply: Disabled people who become members. Call 01691 624 222 to talk it through. Ask your speech and language therapist about NHS AAC services first.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Any age
Sources: About us · How to register · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenFundraising help (not a grant)
Not a grant: a charity that helps families raise money for treatment, therapy and equipment the NHS or social care don’t provide, with Gift Aid on donations.
Who can apply: Families raising money for a child or young person’s healthcare. Always talk to your child’s own doctors and therapists before paying for any private therapy.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Any age
Sources: What we do · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity holiday
Funded UK holidays (usually up to four nights self-catering, with help towards travel and food) and day trips.
Who can apply: Household income under £24,000 (not counting non-means-tested benefits like DLA), no holiday together in the last four years, and at least one child under 18 going.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Up to 17
Sources: Apply for a holiday · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Directory listing
OpenCharity grant
Means-tested grants for Motability Scheme customers towards advance payments, wheelchair accessible vehicles and adaptations, plus some help outside the Scheme such as driving lessons.
Who can apply: Mostly for people on the Motability Scheme who need extra financial help to get a suitable vehicle. Call 0800 500 3186.
- Nations: All UK nations
- Ages: Any age
Sources: Individual grants · checked 3 Nov 2026