ABOUT US
The Victoria Convalescent Trust (VCT) is a registered charity (no.1064585).
Our main purpose is to make grants to fund or part-fund short breaks for those, including carers, of any age, living in England and Wales:
- Who are in need of a short break for the purpose of convalescence, recuperative care or respite care;
- Who do not have adequate resources to fund themselves; and
- Who have been unable to obtain sufficient assistance from the statutory services.
Grants are made for short breaks of up to seven nights in duration, taken in the UK only. We normally make grants for short breaks taken with registered specialist providers such as:
- Holiday Homes Trust, mobile homes, various locations. www.holidayhomestrust.org
- Holy Rood House Retreat, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. www.holyroodhouse.org.uk
- Revitalise Centres, Essex, Hampshire and Lancashire. www.revitalise.org.uk
- Rustington Convalescent Home, Littlehampton, West Sussex. www.rustcon.co.uk
The VCT will also consider the funding of short breaks in:
- All season holiday centres
- Commercially owned mobile homes
- Holiday chalets, cottages and lodges
- Hotels
- Residential camps
If there is a need for a whole family to have a short break, grants are generally made towards the cost of self-catering accommodation.
Incorporated into the VCT is a much smaller fund for the purpose of making grants for essential equipment such as white goods, essential household items, contributions towards mobility aids and other specialist equipment. Priority for funding is given to those with a severe and enduring disability, physical or mental illness and to carers. Due to the high level of demand it is unlikely that the trust will be able to offer assistance to anyone who does not meet these criteria.
In 2023 the VCT approved grants totalling £114,201 to 559 applicants.