Holiday Grant
Taking time away from home can be an important boost for wellbeing and mental health, especially for those living with LEoP or PPS. The Holiday Grant helps towards the cost of a short break or holiday, either in the UK or abroad.
What it can cover:
- Accommodation or travel costs for a short break
- Contributions towards accessible or adapted accommodation
- Essential costs for a companion or carer
Who can apply:
Polio survivors living in the UK who are current members of the British Polio Fellowship and have not received a Holiday Grant within the last two years.
Grant amount: £350 (maximum)
Apply online
To apply online, please ensure you are signed in to the Membership Portal. If you’re not yet a member, please register to become a member.
Case Study
Georgette from Portsmouth, applied to the British Polio Fellowship (BPF) for a Holiday Grant last year, to support a meaningful pilgrimage to Lourdes in France. For Georgette, the opportunity to travel was particularly significant because she hadn’t been on holiday for more than five years.
When Georgette was just two years old, she contracted polio in 1966 while living in Ivory Coast, West Africa. Since then, she has experienced mobility difficulties. She uses walking sticks to help her move around and a mobility scooter when she is outdoors. Her home has been adapted to meet her needs, allowing her to live independently.
Georgette lives on her own and spends much of her time at home due to her mobility challenges. One of the main ways she stays connected with others is through her local church, where she regularly meets with her church group. These gatherings are very important to her and give her a chance to socialise and feel part of a community.
With the help of the BPF Holiday Grant, Georgette was able to join her church group on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. This trip had a special meaning for her, because she wanted to visit this holy place to pray for her health and wellbeing.
The trip turned out to be a wonderful experience and Georgette was able to meet other visitors and pilgrims, speak with them, and make new friends. After several years without a holiday, visiting Lourdes gave her the chance to step out of her usual routine, connect with others, and enjoy a place that is very important to her faith. She returned home with lovely memories and a renewed sense of peace and happiness.