Applying To The Project

Many families living with HIV in the U.K today are not only struggling to cope with the effects of this terrible virus but they are also facing stigma, isolation and in many cases, poverty.

“CWAC has helped so much with buying school uniforms. Without the organisation's support I can't cope because the money available from social services isn't enough - it's just for us to survive.”

The Hardship and Respite Breaks Project is available to assist families with children who are living in poverty and are infected with HIV or are affected by a family member having HIV/AIDS. The Project exists to provide moderate amounts of financial assistance for essential items and expenses relating to children and for respite and relief breaks for children and their families.

Each month The Hardship and Respite Breaks Project awards approximately £10,000 to families who apply to the funds and approximately 70 families are assisted.

From April 2005 to March 2006, 767 grants were distributed to families throughout the U.K, with an expenditure of over £114,000. More than 1,800 children have been helped through grants made from the Hardship and Respite Breaks Project alone and many others through alternative projects, respite and day trips and transport funding.

"It really affects my children because they see me taking medication everyday and not being able to provide everything they ask for."

As awareness of CWAC’s service is spreading, we are happy to say that we now work with more than 200 organizations throughout the U.K consisting of hospitals, Social Services, Citizen Advice Bureaus and HIV Support Services spread widely throughout the United Kingdom.

Click here to see feedback from clients about the project.

About the Projects

The Hardship Project aims to provide practical assistance to lessen the economic and social impact of the virus on a family’s lifestyle. The project is set up to provide small grants towards basic items such as children’s clothing and items, school uniforms, bedding, beds, start up grants for new babies and childcare charges.

Grants for these basic items are not only essential for the physical well-being of the children but can also help to reduce the stigma that goes hand in hand with both poverty and HIV. The stress that is incurred from household debts or the breakdown of a washing machine can have devastating effects on a family and on the health of its members

The Respite Breaks Project offers assistance towards the costs of family holidays and respite care breaks taken within the U.K. The project can also be accessed to provide money towards the cost of some school trips for children. It is important for families living with HIV to try to maintain a decent quality of life: such holidays are vital as they give families the opportunity to spend valuable time together.

Disclosure is often an awkward issue for families where either a parent or child is infected, and as a result, many children do not know the precise nature of their own illness or their parents’. Many families are unable to go to recognised HIV respite centres because this would disclose their HIV status. In addition, children being naturally curious can often sense the problems and thus feel further isolated and different from their peers. CWAC recognises the need for family-style holidays where children and parents can escape the pressures of everyday living.

Applying to the Project

Applications to the Hardship & Respite Breaks Project can be made through third party organisations working directly with the family. Grants are awarded to families with a child/children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS who are experiencing difficulties in meeting the costs of essential goods and services. Children can be assisted up to age 18.

For application reasons that relate directly to adults Referrers should apply to The Crusaid Hardship Fund in the first instance Tel: 020 75393881 or by email: jona@crusaid.org.uk. Please note that if clients are resident in Scotland then they need to apply to the Crusaid Hardship Fund in Scotland: PHACE Scotland on: 0141 332 3838 or email contact@phacescotland.org.

All organisations must be registered as a referring organisation before applying to the Project. Any referrers who are not already registered with CWAC, please contact Vanessa Bissessur, Services Co-ordinator by telephone: 020 7033 8620, or by e-mail: hardship@cwac.org to request an Organisation Record.

Updated Guidelines and Application Forms are available to download through the secure login for referrer’s below. Referrer’s who are already registered but do not have the relevant login details, please contact hardship@cwac.org for further information.

If you are from a referring organisation you may download the Hardship & Respite Breaks Project application forms and guidelines using the password protected links below:

Guidelines for Applying to the Project 2007

Hardship Application Form 2007

Respite Breaks Application Form 2007

Day Trips & Group Respite Trips