North Wales MS and Chair of Senedd Cross Party Group on Disability, Mark Isherwood, has today sponsored and opened Family Fund’s 50th anniversary event.
Family Fund is the UK's largest grant-making charity for low-income families raising a disabled or seriously ill child.
Opening their celebratory event in the Senedd earlier today, Mr Isherwood spoke of the fantastic work they carry out in Wales.
He said:
“Family Fund believes that families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people should have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as wider families.
“For fifty years, Family Fund’s main function has been to help redress this balance by distributing public money across the UK in the form of grants to families with sick and disabled children.
“Families in Wales can apply for a Family Fund grant every 24 months and are eligible if they: are the main carer for a disabled or seriously ill child, aged 17 or younger; have a low income from working, or benefits.
“As part of Family Fund’s 50th Anniversary, the Charity invited families to share photos of family memories, be it on family breaks or day trips or using play equipment. The photo project was an opportunity for families to talk about things that really mattered to them – to give the stories behind their photos.
“Families talked about making memories and what the photos showed about family time together.
“Families also provided wider insights into the things that really help or hinder them. Some of the pictures and insights are shared at today’s event.”
At the event, the charity also presented their recent ‘Window to Our World’ research about families experience of play/recreation and short breaks, the benefits of them and barriers/issues they face around them.
Mr Isherwood added:
“Disabled families still face barriers daily, whether it be physical, attitudinal, communication, social or policy.
“Charities such as Family Fund provide a vital lifeline to these Families. The service they provide helps with early intervention and prevention, taking some of the pressures off those families and saving Public Services in Wales millions every year.”