Going on a short break or holiday
For many families caring for a child with complex health needs it can be extremely difficult to contemplate being able to afford or organise a holiday with appropriate care in place. However, a short activity break for your child or a holiday together can be immensely rewarding and can enable your child and your family to build some special memories.
There are several charities that organise holidays for a seriously ill child, either with their family or on their own with a group of other children/ young people. These holidays are provided in the UK or overseas, and different criteria will apply for each one.
For some schemes or holidays, families can apply directly, whereas others may need a referral from a doctor or a recognised charity. Many are open all year round, are free of charge and can be applied for online.
Below is a list of charities. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and Together for Short Lives does not take responsibility for ensuring that these suggestions will be appropriate for everyone.
You are advised to conduct your own research to ensure that the venue and accommodation is suitable for your own child/ young person and family’s requirements.
You can call our helpline on 0808 8088100 for details of other organisations that may be able to help.
Our information about Grants and Wishes also includes details of organisations that provide grants for holidays.
Donna’s Dream House
This charity provides free holidays, in a specially adapted house in Blackpool, for children and teenagers with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Tel: 01253 752222
Email: len@donnasdreamhouse.co.uk
Heswall Disabled Children’s Holiday Fund
The fund hosts a free, week-long summer camp each August for up to 30 boys aged 7 – 16 years, and who have physical disabilities. In addition to the summer Camp, the fund also sponsors children with disabilities for whom their camp is not suitable on other specialist holidays. The camps are in North West England.
Tel: 0300 123 1231
Email: applications@heswallcamp.org.uk
Kids Cancer Charity
(formerly Christian Lewis Trust)
The charity supports children with cancer and their families. They provide holidays both in the UK and abroad.
Tel: 01792 480500
Email: enquiries@kidscancercharity.org
Whiteleys Retreat
Whiteleys Retreat provides therapeutic short breaks for children and young people with cancer or life altering illnesses, and their families, in Scotland.
Email: info@whiteleysretreat.com
The Oliver Curd Trust
The Oliver Curd Trust provides free holidays for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. The charity also provides breaks to bereaved families. The charity has two caravans and families can take a week’s holiday or an extended weekend.
www.theolivercurdtrust.org/caravans.html
Tel: 07856 119151
Email: enquiries@theolivercurdtrust.co.uk
Sebastian’s Action Trust
Sebastian’s Action Trust offers respite holidays to seriously ill children and their families. At their fully accessible facility near Basingstoke in Hampshire, they offer both planned and crisis breaks to families from Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey. They do consider applications from families across the UK.
Tel: 01256 391854
Email: info@sebastiansactiontrust.org
Youth Cancer Trust
This charity provides free wellbeing holidays in Dorset for young people with cancer, aged 18 to 30 years, from anywhere across the UK and Ireland.
www.youthcancertrust.org/free-holidays
Tel: 01305 584 064
Email: admin@yct.org.uk
The Calvert Trust
The Calvert Trust provides children and young people with disabilities with free holidays and enables them to take part in outdoor activities. They have centres in Exmoor, Kielder and the Lake District.
To speak to someone about activities Tel: 01598763221
Email: receptionexmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk
Sandcastle Trust
The Sandcastle Trust provides grants to families affected by a rare genetic condition for short breaks, special days and annual attraction passes. They also offer support to families who have suffered a bereavement as a result of a rare genetic condition.
www.sandcastletrust.org/sandcastleretreats
Tel: 0207 1998 261
Email: info@sandcastletrust.org
Hannah’s Holiday Appeal
Hannah’s Holiday Appeal support children’s oncology wards in Southampton General Hospital and accept referrals of children with cancer and life-limiting illnesses for a break away at one of their luxury holiday homes on Hayling Island and the New Forest.
Tel: 023 9226 7899
Email: pam@hannahsappeal.org
Barretstown
At Barretstown, they offer free specially designed camps for children from across the UK and Ireland who have cancer and other serious illnesses. The camps feature a range of adventurous activities, all supported by medical and nursing care.
www.barretstown.org/families-and-campers
Tel: +353 45 864 115
Email: info@barretstown.org
After Umbrage
After Umbrage offer free four-day breaks for carers in their holiday cottages outside Bath. This offer is also for carers within their first year of bereavement too.
www.afterumbrage.org.uk/the-cottages
Tel: 07812 773 997
Email: hello@afterumbrage.org.uk
Tourism for All UK
Tourism for All UK is a small, independent national charity working to improve accessibility in the tourism and leisure industries. They provide information on travel and leisure for people with disabilities and help people to find the best holiday to meet their needs. Tourism for All UK is a membership organisation (annual subscription £25).
Tel: 0845 124 9971
Email: info@tourismforall.org
You may find it difficult or too time consuming to contact these charities yourself. If this is the case, please do call our helpline on 0808 8088 100 and speak to one of the team. We may be able to support you with finding the short break or holiday that best suits your child and family’s needs.