Stevenson Pledges Support for Families Across NE Raising Disabled or Seriously Ill Children or Young People

Stewart Stevenson MSP has pledged his support for Family Fund, the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people, and their commitment to increase the number of grants and services they provide to families.

In Scotland, Family Fund supported 6,176 families with grants worth £2.9 million and in North East Scotland they supported 562 families with grants worth £263,892.

Stewart Stevenson MSP with Salena Begley MBE

Family Fund supports families on low incomes raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people to have the same opportunities as others, and help to break down some of the barriers families face on a daily basis.

Families can find out if they’re eligible to apply for a grant by visiting www.familyfund.org.uk. The charity provides grants for a wide range of items, such as kitchen appliances, sensory toys, family breaks, tablets, furniture, outdoor play equipment and clothing.

Family Fund also provided 1,751 Take a Break grants for families in Scotland last year. Take a Break supports carers and their families to take a break, and help improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of the whole family. Families will next be able to apply for a Take a Break grant in May 2018.

Stewart Stevenson said,

“I’m proud that the Scottish Government funds this work to support disabled children and young people and I pledge to support Family Fund’s commitment to provide 150,000 grants and services to families across the UK by 2022.”

Salena Begley MBE, Scotland Partnership Development Manager for Family Fund, added,

“Getting it right for every child and improving the outcomes and wellbeing of disabled and seriously ill children and young people in Scotland is at the heart of what we do in Family Fund. Raising a disabled child can be up to three times more expensive compared with other children.[1]

“Throughout 2018 Family Fund will be celebrating the achievements of disabled young people in Scotland as part of the as part of the Year of Young People. We are grateful for the continuing support from the Scottish Government and are committed to doing more to improve the outcomes for disabled children and young people over the coming years.”