18th July 2026 • My Family Our Needs
Key Takeaways
- The 3H Foundation provides means-tested disabled holiday grants to help families afford a much-needed break in the UK without financial stress.
- Young people and young carers can access TeensPLUS activities and at-home challenge packs to help them build independence.
- Unpaid adult carers are supported with short respite breaks, such as spa days and gift hampers, to help them rest and recharge.
Paying for a family holiday is not always easy, especially when there are extra expenses like hiring equipment. However, organisations like The 3H Foundation can help with disabled holiday grants and financial support.
The 3H Foundation has been operating for nearly 50 years supporting those with disabilities and carers to access disabled holiday grants and short respite breaks. We are a small charity with only five part-time members of staff but we aim to make a big difference.
Holidays for those with disabilities can often be difficult to find and this was exactly the scenario faced by the Godwins in the early seventies who had a son with severe disabilities.
Finding a safe and adapted venue for a holiday proved to be a challenge. They realised they weren’t the only family facing this dilemma and so the Godwin family formed 3H which has grown to support those with disabilities and carers across four different programmes.
Applying for disabled holiday grants
Our means-tested disabled holiday grants programme has been operating since 2005 and provides financial assistance for people with a disability to enjoy a UK holiday break either independently or with their family/carer. Unpaid carer breaks are also available so that they can take a break from their caring role.
The Boyce family hadn’t had a holiday for over five years and their caravan holiday to Scarborough was just what was needed to help them to feel less tired and overwhelmed.
‘. . . gave us an opportunity as a family to create memories and to have a lovely holiday without the stress and pressure of hospital appointments. We all arrived back home feeling refreshed and like we had all bonded more’. – J. Boyce.
A variety of activities
TeensPLUS supports young people with disabilities and young carers aged 13-25. Our TeensPLUS ‘challenge packs’ were developed during the pandemic giving the opportunity to take part in something different whilst shielding at home or caring for a loved one.
As feedback was overwhelming the decision was made to add the TeensPLUS challenge packs as a permanent feature of the TeensPLUS support programme.
‘Adam has loved receiving the teen challenge box – thank you to all involved. When you are isolated, it is a boost to know somebody cares enough to offer this kindness…thank you.’ – Adam’s mum.
‘…the pack was a genius idea, it had every single thing he needed in it to make every activity…and he could do everything without any involvement from anyone else, which is what usually upsets him’. – J.
Our TeensPLUS programme works with organisations across the country helping to arrange funded activities and day trips for young people with disabilities and young carers.
We also work with caring organisations to provide young carers with our activity respite hampers enabling them some time away from their caring role and to just be a child. The hampers given in the pandemic made a big difference to young carers’ wellbeing.
We continue to send out hampers four times a year to young carers and receive feedback which shows that we made the right decision to continue the project.
Maintaining independence
We work collaboratively with holiday companies, other charities and holiday venues to be able to offer affordable and well-managed group holidays. By working with these companies, we can provide bespoke holidays for our guests including accommodation, full board, planned activities and support to ensure transport to the venue is as easy as possible.
Our guests appreciate being able to decide their own timetable whilst on holiday especially if they are reliant on outside agency care when in their own home.
Working with expert travel companies, we can offer guests with a range of disabilities the opportunity to have an independent holiday away from their main carers and be confident that the care they will receive is tailored to their needs – enabling the guests to have a fun and fulfilling experience.
Rest and relaxation
Getting away for a few hours is important for carers’ wellbeing. We provide short respite breaks including afternoon teas and spa days where adult carers can relax and receive some respite from the constant and ongoing demands of their role helping them to re-charge their batteries.
‘On behalf of myself and Hannah we just wanted to say a huge thank you for the spa day today. It was just what we needed and has been our first opportunity just to stop and relax in a long while. It was great.’ – David.
Feedback shows that the opportunity to meet other people experiencing similar challenges is also an important part of these carer days and enables people to benefit from the support that this can bring.
Recognising hard work
We work with carers’ organisations in the South East to organise ‘Spa Day’ breaks for unpaid carers and we supply carer respite hampers for those in need throughout the country.
Carer nominations are given by carers’ organisations, and we send boxes of respite gifts directly to the nominated carers providing them with some encouragement and recognition for the work that they do supporting their loved one.
‘Thank you very much indeed for my lovely hamper. It really brightened my day more than I can say. I was very touched to have been sent this. Your letter was really lovely, and it was just the boost I needed as I have been struggling a great deal lately. I am so looking forward to using the items and ordering some just cook meals. It will be so lovely not to have to actually cook for a couple of nights.’ – Jo.
If you would like to contact us, please click here for our contact form or visit www.the3hfoundation.org.uk/contact
About The 3H Foundation and our disabled holiday grants
The 3H Foundation was formed in 1975 to provide holiday opportunities for families who needed support. 3H supports people with disabilities to have a break whether on independent group holidays, through disabled holiday grants or short break activities. The Foundation also supports adult and young carers to have a period of respite both through days out, breaks away or through home-based respite hampers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for financial help towards a holiday?
Usually, families or individuals on a low income who have a disability or life-limiting illness can apply. For example, The 3H Foundation requires applicants to receive a means-tested benefit, live in the UK, and meet specific disability criteria.
What do disabled holiday grants actually pay for?
This depends entirely on the charity providing the support. Grants from The 3H Foundation are intended for accommodation costs only and are paid directly to the holiday venue, whereas other schemes might fund broader family breaks through specific partner providers.
How much funding is typically available?
Funding amounts vary according to the provider, chosen holiday, and the number of guests. Grants from The 3H Foundation generally range between £250 and £550, while other organisations do not publish a fixed cash amount because values depend on the specific partner break.
Do I need to provide evidence when applying?
Yes, you will need to supply relevant documentation to secure funding. This usually includes a medical letter from a professional, recent bank statements, and proof of income or benefits to show you meet the financial criteria.
Can I book my holiday first and claim the grant later?
No, you should never book a holiday before receiving written grant approval. A common misconception is that charities will reimburse you after booking, but most discretionary schemes will not accept retrospective claims.
Can carers apply for a break too?
Yes, support is available for those providing care as well. The 3H Foundation explicitly offers short respite breaks for unpaid carers, such as spa days and gift hampers, helping them to rest and recharge away from their daily responsibilities.