We are now closed for Christmas, to give our hard-working team, processing more applications than ever before, the chance to rest and recharge. Applications will reopen on Wednesday 7 January 2026, 9am.

When we reopen, we will have made some changes to our criteria, to ensure that our vital support reaches the households in the most need. Find out more.

Wellbeing support, including carer, hobby and young carer grants, is available to households where:

  • A member of the household is in receipt of disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Disability Living Allowance (DLA) / Attendance Allowance (AA) or Scottish Disability Payment (SDP)
  • A member of the household is in the process of applying, or appealing a decision, for either PIP / DLA / AA or SDP
  • They have experienced a recent traumatic event (bullying / abuse or assault / victim of crime / separation or divorce / a bereavement in the immediate household / households with children with special educational needs who may be waiting for an Educational Health Care Plan, or the outcome of an appeal).

We will only be able to provide one-off support in most cases, unless in receipt of ill health state benefits.

Adult carer support

Caring for someone can be very rewarding, although, can also be emotional and challenging. We can support you to be able to take a break and take some time for yourself.

Support is available for those who receive Carer’s Allowance; Carer's element of Universal Credit; or care for a member of your household who receives PIP/DLA/AA/SDP. Two adult carers may share one carers' grant between them.

Grants are available to help carers:

  • Take a break from day-to-day routines
  • Maintain friendships
  • Pursue personal interests, leisure or cultural activities
  • Have greater independence and self-confidence
  • Improve mental health and wellbeing

We can consider grants up to £750 per year, for a carer to access regular breaks, activities like: gym membership; exercise classes; help with taxis; lunch out with friends; etc.

Applicants must be aged 25 or over, and be the main carer.

 

Adult carer support documentation

Please provide with your application:

  • A quote and details for the activity
  • How your immediate household meets one of the criteria
  • Your verification document(s)

Please consider contacting your local authority to enquire about funding for respite care for either the carer or the person receiving care. Carers should have a carer’s assessment and the cared for should have a needs assessment.

Young carer support

Support is available for clergy children (7 - 17) and adult clergy children (18-25) with a parent or a sibling in receipt of ill-health state benefits (PIP/DLA/AA/SDP) to whom they provide care.

Grants are available for an activity that may:

  • Improve self-esteem and confidence
  • Connect with others/make new friends
  • Improve mental and/or physical health

For 18 - 25 year-olds, the maximum grant is up to £500.

For 7 - 17 year-olds, the maximum grant is up to £350.

 

Young carer support documentation

Please provide with your application:

  • A quote and details for the activity
  • How your immediate household meets one of the criteria
  • Your verification document(s)

Education and skills courses

This is only for spouses/partners, retired clergy and adult children of clergy.

For adults who are living with mental, physical or learning disabilities (in receipt of ill-health state benefits) who wish to either:

  • Further their knowledge and skills in order to increase their chances of employment in the future
  • Improve self-esteem, social skills/support networks, integrating into society

Grants are available up to £2,000.

 

Education support documentation

Please provide with your application:

  • A quote and details for the education skills course
  • How your immediate household meets one of the criteria
  • Your verification document(s)

Note: this is not available to serving clergy

Hobby grant

Those who are in direct receipt of PIP/DLA/AA/SDP are able to apply for a hobby grant.

Grants are for an activity that the individual or family feel may help:

  • Improve self-esteem and confidence
  • Connect with others / make new friends
  • Improve mental and/or physical health

For those aged 25 and older, grants can be up to £750.

For 18 - 25 year-olds, grants can be up to £500.

For 7 - 17 year-olds, grants can be up to £350.

In some circumstances, applicants (adults, children and adult children up to 25) going through a traumatic event, may also apply as a one-off.

 

Activity grant documentation

Please provide with your application:

  • A quote and/or costs for the activity
  • How your immediate household meets one of the criteria
  • Your verification document(s)

Respite breaks

Specifically for households with high-level care needs and complex health situations. Grants towards respite breaks are only available in exceptional, or emergency circumstances and are likely to include situations such as:

  • Nearing burnout and require a break from caring responsibilities
  • Dealing with life-limiting or degenerative health conditions
  • Preparing for end-of-life care
  • Dealing with a situation such as a house move or medical procedure which would require a period of respite for a family member.

Our support could cover:

Please consider contacting your local authority to enquire about funding for respite care, for either the carer or the person being cared for. Carers should have an NHS Carer’s Assessment, and the cared for should have an NHS Needs Assessment.

For those who are unable to physically leave home for an extended period of time, our Carer's Support Grants may be more suitable.

 

Respite breaks documentation

Please provide with your application:

  • A quote for your preferred break and any associated care costs, eg. accommodation, travel, days out and insurance
  • Your verification document(s)

Note: We would generally expect the applicant/carer to be in receipt of disability/carers benefits (eg. DLA/PIP/ESA, Carer's Allowance or Carer's element of Universal Credit). However, we are able to consider families who may not qualify for such benefits where there is strong evidence of health or care needs.

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A woman is holding her child in her arms.

Additional support

As part of recent updates to our Eligibility Criteria, to ensure that the households in the most need are able to access the grants and services that are vital to their financial, emotional and mental wellbeing - we've updated our website.

If you're looking for support for separated / divorced clergy partners / spouses, or education-based support for SEN children, anxiety or mental health issues, you can now find these below.

If you either of these types of support feel like the right fit for your needs, please contact our Grants Team before you apply.

Separated clergy spouses

Education support

How to apply

Wellbeing support is only available to households who meet at least one of the Wellbeing support criteria, and may only be provided as one-off support.

If your household meets any of the points in this criteria, please call our Grants Team on 0800 389 5192 before you apply.

Apply

Questions and guidance

Wellbeing support criteria

Wellbeing support, including carer, hobby and young carer grants, is available to households where:

  • A member of the household is in receipt of disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Disability Living Allowance (DLA) / Attendance Allowance (AA) or Scottish Disability Payment (SDP)
  • A member of the household is in the process of applying, or appealing a decision, for either PIP / DLA / AA or SDP
  • They have experienced a recent traumatic event (bullying / abuse or assault / victim of crime / separation or divorce / a bereavement in the immediate household / households with children with special educational needs who may be waiting for an Educational Health Care Plan, or the outcome of an appeal).

We will only be able to provide one-off support in most cases, unless in receipt of ill health state benefits.