Access Fund

The Access Fund is a grant scheme to help children and young people with educational needs and/or disabilities participate in activities within their community alongside their non-disabled peers. The fund aims to benefit individuals or groups of children and young people by providing funding to help with the cost of taking part in local activities. This may include but is not limited to sporting, performing arts, or recreational activities.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Access Fund is open to children and young people aged from 0-25 years with SEND living in Newcastle upon Tyne who meet one of the following criteria:

The child/young person is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance Care component (DLA) at any rate
The Young Person is in receipt of PIP Daily Living
The child/young person has an Educational Health and Care plan

Children and young people who receive funding from the Children with Disabilities service in the form of a personal budget are unable to apply.

The fund is also open to applications from community organisations that are planning to include children/young people with SEND in their activities and require funding to facilitate this.

Individual Applications

The grant offer to individuals will be up to £400 in total to support the child or young person to access activities.

Individuals can either apply for up to 12 sessions, this can be one repeated activity or a combination of activities providing the total is no greater than 12 sessions, or an annual pass that provides unlimited access to an activity such as gym membership.

Only one grant can be awarded in a twelve-month period.

Applications for whole family activities will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Grants for organisations

Organisations can apply for up to £400 to:

Enable them to provide children or young people with educational needs and/or disabilities to access the activities they provide.
Work with a group of disabled children where the funding would enable the organisation to access additional opportunities for the young people they work with.
Specialist Equipment is only considered if it is essential for the child to access an activity.

How to apply

To apply for the Access Fund please follow the steps below:

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria above
Download and complete the relevant application form below
Return your application form via email to accessfund@footsteps.me.uk or post to Footsteps Children’s Services Ltd, Suite 14 John Buddle work village, Buddle road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 8AW
Send proof of DLA or PIP or Front page of EHCP along with your application form – DO NOT send original copies
Upon receipt your application will be acknowledged by e-mail and considered by the Access Fund panel who meet monthly
You will receive an award letter if successful or if funding has not been awarded you will be contacted to explain why your application was not successful
A feedback form and all receipts must be submitted to the Access Fund. Failure to do so will result in not being able to reapply in the future