Apply now for Holiday Grants Programme (United Kingdom)

The Holiday Grants Programme provides one-off grants of £500 to £3,000 to UK schools, youth groups, and non-profit organisations to organise recreational day trips or short residential holidays for children aged 13 and under. The programme prioritises children experiencing financial hardship, systemic inequality, or disability and also offers an additional accessibility grant of up to £250 for eligible access-related costs.

About the Holiday Grants Programme

The Holiday Grants Programme is designed to help children who may otherwise be unable to participate in holidays or recreational experiences because of financial, social, or accessibility barriers.

The programme supports organisations that provide children with opportunities to enjoy activities outside their usual environment. Funded experiences can help improve children’s wellbeing, confidence, social connection, and access to positive recreational opportunities.

Priority is given to organisations working with children who have limited financial resources or face systemic disadvantages, particularly disabled children.

What Does the Programme Support?

The programme supports affordable recreational experiences for groups of children aged 13 or under.

Examples of eligible activities may include:

• Camping trips.
• Adventure activities.
• Outdoor recreational experiences.
• Seaside visits.
• Day trips.
• Short residential holidays.
• Other affordable recreational trips lasting up to seven days.

The programme is intended to create enjoyable and memorable experiences rather than provide formal education or religious activities.

Funding Available

Organisations can apply for:

• £500 to £3,000 for each eligible recreational trip.
• Up to £250 in additional accessibility support for eligible access requirements.

The main grant can support either a day trip or a residential trip lasting up to seven days.

Accessibility funding may help cover additional costs such as:

• BSL interpreters.
• Scribes.
• Assistive technology.
• Other reasonable accessibility requirements.

Who Is Eligible?

The Holiday Grants Programme is open to UK-based organisations working with children and young people.

Eligible applicants include:

• Schools.
• Youth groups.
• Non-profit organisations.

Non-profit organisations must generally have an annual income of less than £2 million, although this income restriction does not apply to schools.

Applicants must deliver services within one or more of the following locations:

• United Kingdom.
• Isle of Man.
• Channel Islands.

The proposed trip must be for children aged 13 or under.

Priority Groups

The programme particularly seeks to support children who face barriers to accessing holidays and recreational experiences.

Priority may be given to organisations supporting:

• Children from financially disadvantaged families.
• Children living in areas affected by significant deprivation.
• Disabled children.
• Children experiencing systemic inequality.
• Children with limited access to holiday opportunities.
• Children facing significant financial or social challenges.

Organisations do not necessarily have to be located in a deprived area if they can demonstrate that the children they support experience significant financial or systemic barriers.

What Types of Trips Are Eligible?

The programme is intended for recreational trips that provide children with enjoyable and enriching experiences.

Potentially eligible activities include:

• Outdoor and adventure activities.
• Camping.
• Visits to the seaside.
• Recreational day trips.
• Group holidays.
• Short residential experiences.

Trips should be affordable and appropriate for the children participating.

What Is Not Eligible?

The programme does not generally support trips that fall outside its recreational purpose.

In particular, funding is not intended for:

• High-cost holiday destinations.
• Trips primarily designed for educational purposes.
• Religious trips or activities.
• Activities that do not meet the recreational purpose of the programme.
• Trips that do not primarily benefit children aged 13 or under.

Applicants should ensure that the main purpose of the proposed trip is recreation and that the experience directly benefits children facing financial, social, or accessibility barriers.

Why It Matters

Holiday and recreational experiences can provide children with opportunities to build confidence, develop social relationships, try new activities, and improve their wellbeing.

For families experiencing financial hardship, even relatively low-cost trips can be difficult to afford. The Holiday Grants Programme helps organisations reduce this barrier by providing financial assistance for group recreational experiences.

The additional accessibility support is particularly valuable for organisations supporting disabled children because it can help address practical barriers that might otherwise prevent participation.

How to Apply

The application process involves several stages.

Step 1: Complete the Eligibility Quiz

Applicants must first complete the programme’s eligibility quiz.

The quiz determines whether the organisation and proposed trip meet the basic funding requirements.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

Organisations that pass the eligibility stage can proceed to the online application form.

Applicants should provide information about:

• Their organisation.
• The children they support.
• The proposed trip.
• The purpose of the trip.
• The number and age of participating children.
• The expected benefits.
• The proposed budget.
• Risk assessment arrangements.
• Accessibility requirements, where applicable.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before the planned trip.

Applicants should allow sufficient time to prepare the required information and supporting documents.

Step 4: Wait for the Decision

Funding decisions are typically provided within approximately six weeks.

Successful organisations can then proceed with the planned trip in accordance with the grant conditions.

Step 5: Deliver the Trip and Report

Successful applicants must spend the grant within six months of receiving the award.

A final report must normally be submitted within 2.5 months of the trip.

Application Tips

Applicants can improve their proposals by clearly demonstrating why the funding is needed and how children will benefit.

Consider the following:

• Explain the financial or social barriers faced by the children.
• Clearly describe the recreational purpose of the trip.
• Show why the proposed experience is appropriate for the age group.
• Provide a realistic and itemised budget.
• Explain how the trip will benefit children’s confidence and wellbeing.
• Identify accessibility requirements in advance.
• Complete the risk assessment carefully.
• Apply at least six weeks before the planned trip.
• Ensure the trip does not have an primarily educational or religious purpose.
• Keep evidence of expenditure for reporting and grant monitoring.

Key Programme Details

• Programme: Holiday Grants Programme
• Eligible applicants: UK schools, youth groups, and non-profit organisations
• Target group: Children aged 13 and under
• Main grant: £500–£3,000 per trip
• Accessibility support: Up to £250
• Trip type: Recreational day trips or residential holidays
• Maximum residential duration: 7 days
• Eligible locations: UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
• Non-profit income limit: Generally below £2 million annually
• Application frequency: One application per calendar year
• Application timing: At least 6 weeks before the trip
• Typical decision period: Within 6 weeks
• Grant spending deadline: Within 6 months of award
• Final report: Within 2.5 months of the trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Holiday Grants Programme?

UK schools, youth groups, and eligible non-profit organisations can apply. Non-profit organisations generally need an annual income below £2 million.

What age group must the children be?

The programme supports groups of children aged 13 and under.

How much funding is available?

Applicants can request between £500 and £3,000 per recreational trip. An additional accessibility grant of up to £250 may be available for eligible access requirements.

Can the grant pay for a residential holiday?

Yes. The programme can support residential recreational trips lasting up to seven days, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Can the grant support educational or religious trips?

No. The programme is focused on recreational experiences and does not support trips that have educational or religious purposes as their primary aim.

How far in advance should an application be submitted?

Applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the planned trip.

Can an organisation apply more than once?

Only one application per calendar year is permitted.

Conclusion

The Holiday Grants Programme provides valuable support for organisations seeking to give children aged 13 and under access to affordable recreational trips and short holidays. With grants of £500 to £3,000, plus up to £250 for accessibility needs, the programme can help remove financial and practical barriers that prevent disadvantaged and disabled children from participating.

Schools, youth groups, and eligible non-profit organisations should focus their applications on clear recreational benefits, genuine financial or social need, realistic costs, and inclusive participation. By providing children with safe, enjoyable, and memorable experiences, funded trips can contribute to stronger wellbeing, confidence, social connection, and inclusion.