Funding Opportunity: Grants for Recreational Trips for Disadvantaged Children

Access to new experiences outside of everyday environments can be transformative for children and young people—particularly those facing disadvantage, systemic inequity, or living with disabilities. A current funding opportunity from the Henry Smith Foundation aims to make these experiences more accessible for those who need them most.

 What’s available?

Grants of £500 to £3,000 are available to support:

•  Day trips or
•  Residential trips of up to 7 days

Trips can take place anywhere within the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands, but must be outside of the children’s immediate local area. For day trips, travel time should be reasonable and not dominate the experience.

 Who can apply?

This fund is open to:

•  Youth groups
•  UK-based non-profit organisations with an annual income under £2 million
•  Schools
• Projects must support children aged 13 and under who are experiencing:
•  Financial hardship
•  Systemic inequity
•  Disability
•  Funding priorities

The fund prioritises:

•  Children living in the most deprived areas (based on the National Indices of Deprivation)
•  Projects supporting disabled children, where there is more flexibility around deprivation criteria
• This creates a strong opportunity for VCSE organisations working in targeted communities or with children who face additional barriers to access.

 Key requirements

•  Applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the trip
•  For trips taking place up to 30 September 2026, the application deadline is 19 August 2026

Full guidance and application details can be found here:

 Why this matters for the VCSE sector

For many organisations, funding for enrichment activities can be difficult to secure—yet these experiences are often where confidence, social skills, and a sense of belonging are built. This fund offers a relatively accessible route to deliver meaningful opportunities that:

•  Broaden horizons
•  Reduce isolation
•  Support wellbeing and development

It’s particularly relevant for organisations already delivering youth provision, holiday programmes, or targeted support for children with additional needs.