Deadline: 09-Oct-2025
The Wilson Home Trust is inviting applications for its Equipment and Activity Grant Program to support families and acquire equipment, services or offer experiences that will enhance the life of the child or young person who has a physical disability.
These grants aim to ease the burden on families and provide vital assistance in areas that directly improve the quality of life for children and young people living with disabilities. Grants can be made in respect only of children and their families, with “family” referring to parents, whanau, primary caregivers, and/or siblings, who meet the required criteria.
Eligible applicants must be children or young adults aged 21 years or under. The grants are specifically intended for those with physical disabilities that primarily impair the function of the body and/or limbs. While additional sensory disabilities such as vision or hearing impairments, as well as intellectual, cognitive, behavioural, or mental disabilities may be present, they cannot be the primary reason for the funding request.
The child or young person’s disability must be described in terms of impairments, activity limitations, and/or participation restrictions, consistent with the World Health Organisation’s definitions: “Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations.” Disabilities may result from a range of medical diagnoses, whether congenital or acquired. Furthermore, applicants must live within the qualifying area as described in the Trust Deed, which for convenience is defined as the upper half of the North Island.
This grant is capped at $5,750 including GST for each child / young person that qualifies from birth to 21 years old. Please note that they will not accept any retrospective applications (items/services that have already been purchased and paid for). The grant categories available include Equipment/Activity ($5,750), Counselling ($690), Holiday ($2,300), and Young Adults aged 17 to 21 ($3,450), with a total available support value of $12,190.
The Trust has clearly defined guidelines regarding applications. Retrospective applications, for items or services already purchased, will not be accepted. Additionally, grants are not provided for overseas therapies. For smaller Activity and Equipment grants under $575.00 including GST, applications are processed within three working days, with applicants notified of the outcome via email. Larger grants over $575.00 are considered by the Grants Committee and the Committee of Management approximately every six weeks.
Applicants are required to submit supporting documentation, including a signed support letter on official letterhead from a doctor or health professional such as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. This letter must confirm their knowledge of the child, outline the physical disability, clarify that the physical impairment is the primary disability in relation to the grant request, describe the need and its impact on the child or family, and confirm residence within the qualifying area.
First-time applicants must also provide proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or passport, along with a medical certificate confirming the child’s diagnosis and physical disability. In cases where proof is unclear, a Verification of Diagnosis form may be required. Furthermore, applicants must provide two quotes from different suppliers, including delivery or freight charges, unless only one provider is available, in which case this should be stated.
For more information, visit The Wilson Home Trust.
