The Scottish Huntington’s Association Short Breaks Fund was set up to give Huntington’s family members, including carers in need of respite, the opportunity to enjoy a few days away that would otherwise be impossible due to cost.
The fund was established through a generous legacy gift to improve the health and wellbeing of Huntington’s families.
All Short Break Fund applications are now considered together, once a year, each February to help families to plan ahead, however you can apply at any time during the year.
Your HD Specialist, Youth Advisor or Financial Wellbeing Officer will be able to give you more information and help to fill in the form. They will also include a statement in support if appropriate. If you currently are not working with one of our services, your GP or a health and social care professional can provide this. While a supporting statement is not mandatory, it will provide additional information to strengthen your application. Applications should be submitted via the digital form where possible, however we also accept paper submissions.
Contact your HD Specialist or sha-admin@hdscotland.org for the paper form or click the button below to download the digital form.
While the funding is not means tested, it is aimed at families who would otherwise be unable to afford some time away, whether that’s as a couple, together as a family, or for respite.
All applications must be received by 7 February 2025 for consideration by our Short Breaks Fund Committee. The short breaks must be taken between 1 April this year and 31 March 2026. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by 7 March 2025.
Short Break Funding is open to anyone whose life is impacted by Huntington’s disease. This includes people who have the disease, those who are at risk of having inherited the faulty gene, and people who provide care for someone with Huntington’s disease.
You can apply for a maximum of £500 towards the total cost of your short break however please note that if successful you may not receive the full amount you have requested. For this reason, please do not book your short break before you receive your award notification.
Anything less than four nights, five days is a short break, for example a long weekend or Monday to Friday break.
Yes – Short Break Funding can be used for breaks in the UK and abroad, however the total length of your stay cannot exceed four nights. This means it cannot be used as part payment for a holiday of over four nights.
No – this would not qualify for Short Break funding.
The closing date for applications is 7 February 2025. Families will be notified of the outcome by 7 March 2025 for short breaks which must be taken between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
No – Short Break funding cannot be provided for pre-booked trips so please don’t book anything until you know the outcome of your application.
If you are successful in 2024 you will not be eligible for funding in 2025, so the earliest you can re-apply is 2026. Otherwise, you can apply each year.
We expect families to make sure they have insurance in place when they are paying for their short break. This means any monies paid can be claimed back should plans change and that families have the protection they need while away.
Your application should include all associated costs – you can send us the invoice when booked and we will arrange payment at that stage.
Information provided by your HD Specialist, Financial Wellbeing Officer, Specialist Youth Advisor, GP or a health and social care professional can help to strengthen your application. Please let them know you are applying so they can complete the Statement of Support form on your behalf.
If you have any questions, please contact your local HD Specialist, Specialist Youth Advisor or Financial Wellbeing Officer.
“We went to Edinburgh for a few days as a family. Our wee girl Sadie was so excited planning our trip, she loves Greyfriars Bobby so it was fab to take her to see it for the first time. We even squeezed in a trip to the zoo!”
Our Welfare Grants provide funding for essential equipment and to alleviate other challenges families may face.
To find out more about eligibility or to apply, please contact your HD Specialist or Specialist Youth Advisor for more information in the first instance.
Scottish Huntington’s Association will consider an application for a grant to assist with the costs of general welfare, where general welfare may include (but is not restricted to):
AND the applicant’s household savings do not exceed £8,000
AND the applicant’s household has not been the recipient of a welfare grant in the last 12 months
AND the applicant does not live in the area of a grant-making branch (Moray, Tayside, Fife)
Please note that applications for holidays will not be accepted. Instead, you should consider an application to our Short Breaks Fund.