Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Deadline extended: more time to apply for funding to support children with SEND

Thursday, 12 August 2021

The closing date for Central Bedfordshire Council’s Short Breaks Grant Fund has been extended until 31 August.

This allows more time for voluntary organisations to apply for grants of up to £10,000 each.

Short breaks provide an opportunity for children and young people with disabilities to spend time away from their primary carers, taking part in new experiences and fun activities. These may include sports, arts and crafts, drama and other leisure activities. They also give parents and carers the opportunity to have a break from caring responsibilities.

The Short Breaks Grant Fund is designed to give funding to voluntary organisations that will provide school holiday activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across all school holidays up to 1 April 2022. This includes the 2021 October half term and Christmas holidays, and the February half term in 2022.

Each organisation can apply for a grant of up to a maximum of £10,000, with around £70,000 set aside overall.

Organisations can apply by filling out an application form on our website and submitting it by email before 5pm on Tuesday 31 August. Applications will be assessed by a panel that will include representatives from Central Bedfordshire Council, parents, carers and young people. Organisations will be informed of the outcome of their application by Friday 17 September.

The organisation must already have access to a site, or sites, that they can deliver their activities from.