Case Studies: Major Grants
Whizz Kidz: £25,000
Whizz-Kidz received a grant of £25,000 to fund the continuation of 7 qualified Mobility Therapists who form the Whizz-Kidz Therapist Network. These trained occupational therapists and physiotherapists have specialist knowledge in supplying the right mobility equipment to disabled children and young people. They assess each child's individual clinical and lifestyle needs in order to provide them with the best possible piece of equipment.
Since Whizz-Kidz was founded in 1990 the charity has helped over 6,000 disabled children to become independent by providing them with customised mobility equipment. Last year alone, collectively the team undertook nearly 500 visits to homes, schools and other venues around the country.
Visit the Whizz-Kidz website (external link)
Arthritis Research Campaign: £100,000 over 2 years
The Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) received a grant of £100,000 over two years to fund research into what triggers the destruction of cartilage by enzymes, with the longer term aim of developing new drugs to block the production of enzymes and prevent further joint destruction in sufferers.
Arthritis is the second most common cause of time off work amongst men and women. One child in every 1,000 also suffers from the debilitating condition. arc is the only major medical research charity in the UK investigating the condition in all forms. Every year it commits millions of pounds to research, education and training.
Visit the Arthritis Research Campaign website (external link)
Emmaus: £125,666 over 3 years
Emmaus received a grant of £125,666 over 3 years towards the funding of two posts making a vital contribution to the expansion and development of the work of Emmaus. In Sheffield, a Project Development Officer has helped to establish a new community on the site of a cutlery works; the first of 28 residents will join in 2007. Nationally, a Development Officer has provided advice, guidance and support on statutory issues like housing law and regulations.
Emmaus helps homeless people a home, work and a chance to regain self-respect in a supportive community environment. Residents move away from a dependency on state benefits to work full time on the community business, renovating and re-selling donated furniture.
Visit the Emmaus website (external link)
Music in Hospitals: £30,000
Music in Hospitals received a grant of £30,000 to fund free Musical Reminiscence concerts for older people. The concerts are delivered in day care centres, hospitals, nursing and residential homes and, particularly for those with dementia, make a visible difference to the well being of those attending. Healthcare services have less money to spend on ‘extras' such as these concerts and Music in Hospitals is committed to providing free concerts to organisations that are unable to raise the money themselves.
Music in Hospitals' aim is to improve the quality of life of adults and children with all kinds of illness and disability through the joy and therapeutic benefits of live music. Over 4000 concerts are presented each year to audiences of all ages in hospitals, care homes, hospices, day care centres and special needs schools throughout the UK.
Visit the Music in Hospitals website (external link)
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign: £30,000
The term muscular dystrophy is an umbrella term for 60 relatively rare conditions.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the only UK charity focusing on all muscular dystrophies and allied disorders. They have pioneered the search for treatments and cures for over 45 years. The organisation also provide practical, medical and emotional support for people affected by the conditions.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign received a grant of £30,000 to support a new partnership project, Together We're Stronger. The partnership will help eight smaller specific-condition support groups to produce information packs and promote the availability of self-management information to a wider audience.
Visit The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign website (external link)
WellChild: £45,000
Wellchild received a grant of £45,000 to fund a WellChild Children's nurse to assist in nursing chronically sick children at home.
NHS community nursing teams have limited funds for care help. The new WellChild Children's Nurses will work within the teams looking after children with chronic and severe complex illnesses in their own homes.. They provide regular nursing and teach parents how to manage the caring role, including practical help with, for example, ventilation or feeding. The work will prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital and help parents to become experienced in their children's care.
WellChild provides care and support for sick children and their families, while leading research into childhood illness and disease. Through care, support and research, they provide children and families with practical solutions to real life problems, whatever the illness.
Visit the WellChild website (external link)