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.”

CWAC Hardship Fund 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 Fund 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 CWAC Hardship Fund awards upward of £12,000 to families who apply to the fund and approximately 90 families are assisted.

From April 2008 to March 2009, 759 grants were distributed to families throughout the UK, with an average grant awarded of £154. More than 1,650 children have been helped through grants made from the CWAC Hardship Fund alone and many others through alternative projects, respite, 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 150 organizations throughout the UK 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

CWAC Hardship Fund aims to provide practical assistance to lessen the economic and social impact of the virus on a family’s lifestyle. The fund 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 component of the CWAC Hardship Fund offers family care breaks taken within the U.K. at a recognised Respite centre. The fund can also be accessed to provide money towards the cost of school trips for children. It is important for families living with HIV to try to maintain a decent quality of life, day trips and activities are vital as they give families the opportunity to spend valuable time together.

Applying to the Project

Applications to CWAC Hardship Fund can only 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 please contact Carole Velasquez (Services Coordinator) by telephone: 020 7033 8620, or by e-mail: hardshipfund@cwac.org.

All organisations must be registered as a referring organisation before applying to the fund. Any referrers who are not already registered with CWAC, please contact Carole Velasquez (Services Co-ordinator) or Paulina Bravo (Assistant Coordinator ) by telephone: 020 7033 8620, or by e-mail: hardshipfund@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 hardshipfund@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:

Organisation application form 2010

Guidelines for Organisations applying to the project 2010

Hardship application Form 2010

Group Projects application Form 2010

Notes on completing the Hardship application form, 2010

Day Trips & Group Respite Trips