I can’t believe it’s been two years since we launched our Practical Intervention Fund, which provides small items related to wellbeing and relaxation to deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people of all ages. We’ve run two rounds of the fund so far, with each receiving lots of interest.

The PIF supports disabled people to access opportunities for self-care and rest. We acknowledge that it can be challenging to find the resources or time to invest in relaxation, and that ways of resting and unwinding can look different for different people – so we’ve supplied a huge range of items during the last two rounds. For people who aren’t sure about what they might need, the PIF has provided opportunities for interesting and exciting conversations about different routes to rest or support wellbeing.

The feedback we’ve received has let us know that the PIF is a useful and relevant resource, so thanks to support from the Linbury Trust and City Bridge Trust, I’m delighted to announce that we’re new opening applications for the third round!

The fund is for anyone who is deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or chronically ill – including anyone waiting for, or experiencing barriers to accessing, a diagnosis. To be eligible, you or the person you’re supporting, must live in the UK and be unable to fund the item(s) yourself. We can fund items up to £150 per application.

‘Relaxation’ and ‘wellbeing’ mean different things to different people – but the idea is to provide items that will have a positive impact on someone’s life. You don’t have to choose from a list – instead, you tell us what you would find useful. Here are a few examples of what we funded last year:

• Fidget and stim toys
• Massage chairs
• Air fryers
• Over-bed tables
• Roll-up beds
• Blackout curtains
• Weighted blankets
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Trampolines
• Light projectors

If you’re interested in applying, please download our application pack – this includes the form itself and some guidance. These can be accessed in both Word and PDF format and are also available as audio files and easy-read documents.

You can send the completed application to me (Katie), my contact details are at the end of this post.

Alternatively, you can submit your application using our online form which can be found here.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 6 June at 6pm. If you have any questions, or would like support with your application, please contact me via email at solidarity@touretteshero.com or via phone call, text or WhatsApp on 07903 224 323.‬

I look forward to receiving your applications!