Family Fund

[Sahkoora]

Another mum with a son with ASD has told me about the Family Fund and how she was able to take her family to Butlins with their help.

We've never had a holiday as a family and probably aren't likely to be able to afford to any time soon. She encouraged me to apply, but there are very few details on the website about the kind of thing you can apply for.

My DS would be a nightmare at somewhere like Butlins, crowds and noises and entertainment etc would push him over the edge. If I was going to choose the ideal holiday for him, it would probably be somewhere rural, with lots of outdoorsy stuff to do, walks in woods, nature trails etc. I think a holiday cottage would be better than a campsite too, other kids and dogs do not mix well with DS.

My friend isn't sure if the Family fund would fund anything like that. She thinks it might only be holiday camps etc?

Does anyone know if this is right? I don't want to waste my shot at applying if I haven't got a chance!

Thanks!

[autumnsmum]

They generally do vouchers for haven and bitlins

[TropicalLily]

I believe FF give vouchers for Butlins/Haven or a company called Travel By Inspire. TBI seem to offer poor value to me (charge significantly more for the same holiday you can book on other websites), so I've tended to avoid asking for holiday vouchers and using them for gadgets/software instead, then paying for our own holidays to have more choice. I think they've said they can be flexible if your child has specific needs which means their holiday options aren't suitable, but you'd have to submit details, and not book before a grant is awarded, which can be tricky if you want to book a particular place for holiday periods.

[tacal]

You can use your family fund voucher at travel by Inspire. I think Inspire can book you anywhere you want. You could phone Inspire and ask before you apply. They said they could book a rural cottage for me when I phoned them, but I decided I would try Haven this year. We probably won't spend a lot of time in the caravan park as it will be too busy.

[Sahkoora]

Thank you very much for your replies. I will have a look at Travel by Inspire and contact them to see what they could do.

Butlins and Haven are definitely out of the question for us so will keep our fingers crossed!

[mrsbpm]

Does anyone know if we can book to go to legoland for a short break with the travel by inspire card ?

[senvet]

Hello
Just found this:-
www.disabledholidaydirectory.co.uk/

it includes holiday cottages

there is a tab for grants which says:-

"We Now Accept Family Fund Holiday Grants!

Use your Family Fund holiday grant to book directly with DisabledHolidays.com for the best deals, expert service and specialist holidays!"

Hope this help someone

[Endler32]

We had a holiday last year using family find vouchers but this was before they change travel agents ( was Thomas Cook when we applied ), Thomas Cook were very helpful and found us somewhere ver quite without entertainment or kids clubs, we had a great week away. I'm sure the travel agent they use now was chosen because they are good at finding holidays for people with sn's so I'm sure they will be able to find something suitable.

[Ravinder42]

Hello I have a son with a learning disability. Previously we had a Family Fund Grant and we got Thomas Cook Vouchers. We visited our local Thomas Cook Shop, and booked a UK break, which was good, Thomas Cook was helpful. We have re-applied for another Family Fund Grant and it was granted and now we have to use a Travel Agent called Travel By Inspire. Very poor customer service and they bump up the prices a lot. Last year I booked a family Holiday and it was a Thomson Holiday to Tunisia with Travel By Inspire. They charged me a extra admin fee just to book it, when asked why was advised that is the fee Thomson Charges them. The Holiday eventually had to be cancelled due to the terrorism in Tunisia. But I went through hell and back just to cancel it as I had to write to Thomson direct to cancel it. I then re-booked a Thomas Cook Holiday to Egypt with Travel by Inspire as they were still holding on to my family fund grant, I paid them in full. Because of the Terrorism in Egypt this Holiday had to be cancelled too. Travel By Inspire took ages to cancel the holiday and to give me a refund. But they are still Holding on my Family Fund Travel Grant.

Recently I have visited & contacted Thomas Cook Signature for another Holiday to Canada. They have given some good offers, I phoned up Travel By Inspire and advised the Sales Reservations Rep of what I want, and emailed the details to them. I received a email back stating they have contacted Thomas Cook and been quoted a price and they have increased the Price by £660. So is that their commission? When I contacted Thomas Cook Signature myself the price is much cheaper.

I really think that Travel By Inspire are taking a real advantage over the Family Fund Grant and ripping the parents off.

Family Fund should Terminate their contract with Travel by Inspire.

[Ravinder42]

After complaining to Complaining to Travel by Inspire and Family Fund. A Manager called Alison from Travel by Inspire did contact me, who searched and contacted Thomas Cook Signature, and it turns out there has been issues / errors with Thomas Cook website. She gave me a good price for a Holiday to Canada that Includes Flights Hotel & Transfers, and accepted both of the family fund grants. And now it has been booked. Thanks to Alison.

[shaman60]

be very carefull with travel by inspire i recieved a voucher and my holiday was an absolute nightmare resulting in having to pay 500 pounds on the spot to be moved as was totally not suitable for my grandaughters needs or my fathers needs the holiday itself ending up costing 4.000 pounds just to spain when other people i spoke to paid 300 for the same they do not price match and totally explore the charity where the money comes from lining there pockets which is disgusting they need to be stopped have reported them with the charity so now being investigated would like to hear from anyone else thats suffered with this company anne

[GoingGrey81]

We go to Flordia in 10 weeks through family fund. £500 deposit from them and a price matched booking through Thomas cook at the time. Checked tonight and TC have dropped the price by £1262!!!! If i to book again price matched i could have saved all that money. I cannot explain how hard we have had to work and save for this family of 5 trip. I am totally gutted that im up this late feeling like i have been punched in the gut. Used family fund inspire previos years and never any issues

[vickibee]

We got an inspired voucher and their price for the first choice holiday was 300 more than the online price so we didn’t get the full benefit of the voucher.

[littl3lady]

Each time using inspire I have had problems. One vacation when we got there I had to pay additional 1500 euro for the rental car as I don't own or use credit cards for them to 'ring mark' the amount in case of damage. Never the board basis booked when I arrive. Single mum to an autistic boy it has caused so much anxiety which needed medication to treat. Complaints fall on deaf or unsympathetic being told what did I want for nothing?😠