Children in Need Family Fund Grants

This grant is available through myself as the referrer for Langafel. It offers one household item to families that fulfil the criteria. The criteria are two-fold in that there needs to be a current crisis plus vulnerability in the family at the time of application. A crisis can include being in urgent need of basic necessities, poverty or unexpected circumstances that means finances are limited. Primarily, circumstances need to be sudden and not ongoing, or to have developed so as to have reached a crisis point. I can support you with drawing out both of these criteria to ensure these are clear in the application.

For most of the year, I am able to apply for 2 grants per month. However, towards the end of the financial year, this often increases to 4 or more. Only 1 grant can be applied for within a 12-month period.

Kent Household Support Fund (HSF)

This is currently available by way of a £90 voucher to be used in a supermarket or a £90 voucher for energy.

Eligible families need to live in Kent, be in receipt of means-tested benefits or have an income of £33,000 or less per year, and not be eligible for free school meals.

Please apply for this here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/urgent-financial-help-and-extra-support/household-support-fund

Family Holiday Charity

The Family Holiday Charity offers short break holidays for families. Again, this is a grant I am set up as a referrer for, so I would need to make the application with you.

They accept applications from families who meet all of the following criteria:

• The household income is less than £24,000 (income excludes non-means-tested benefits)
• The family has not had a holiday together in the last four years.
• There is at least one child under 18 who will go on the holiday.

Please take a look here: https://familyholidaycharity.org.uk/

National Databank

This scheme is like a foodbank but for mobile data. It provides free mobile SIM cards for those who cannot access the internet, or have limited access. I am able to apply for SIM cards from O2, Vodafone and Three and you are able to keep your own number. Data can only be obtained for mobiles for those over 18 years of age. https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank

Digital Hardware Access Scheme

This scheme is run by Digital Kent. At certain times of year, the grant that is relevant to children provides a reconditioned laptop for children aged 10 and over. It is due to reopen in Spring 2026. https://www.digitalkent.uk/information/projects/hardware

Fuel Bank

​Look out for more information as this is on its way.

Contact Claire Holmes: cholmes@langafel.kent.sch.uk