Happy Days Children's Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £551,000+ (grants awarded for respite breaks and activities)
• Beneficiaries: 30,000+ children supported annually
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)
• Grant Types: Day trips, group activity holidays, family respite breaks
• Age Range: 3-17 years

Contact Details

Address: The Glover Centre, 23-25 Bury Mead Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1RT

Phone: 01462 530710

Email: enquiries@happydayscharity.org

Application Support: Ann DaRocha - ann@happydayscharity.org or Theresa - theresa@happydayscharity.org

Website: www.happydayscharity.org

Overview

Founded in 1992 by three mothers, Happy Days Children's Charity has been organizing and funding special days out and activities for children across the UK living with mental, physical and emotional difficulties. The charity believes that ALL children deserve the opportunity to experience life, whatever their circumstances. Based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, the organization is registered as charity number 1010943 and company number 02639512. Last year, Happy Days supported over 30,000 children with additional needs, providing opportunities for them to get out, make new friends, develop new skills and build confidence. The charity works with local communities across the UK to provide vital respite breaks for individuals, families and groups who support children aged 3-17 with a wide range of additional needs. Total annual expenditure on grants for respite breaks and leisure activities exceeded £551,000, making Happy Days a significant national funder for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Group Day Trips

Applications can be made for day trips to destinations including the seaside, theme parks, theatres, zoos, museums, outdoor activity centres, and sporting events. The charity funds tickets/passes and transport costs. Applications accepted on a rolling basis from organizations representing groups of young people aged 3-17 with additional needs, including SEN schools, young carers groups, and women's refuges.

2. Group Activity Holidays

Groups can apply for activity holidays to destinations such as outdoor activity centres, holiday camps and sailing breaks. Suitable for organizations working with groups of children with special needs.

3. Family Respite Breaks

Family breaks (two to four night breaks within the UK) to the seaside or countryside for families with children aged 3-17 with special educational needs, who have been victims of abuse, or who have a life-limiting condition. Income threshold applies: household income of £28,000 or under (including benefits except PIP/DLA, Child Benefit, or carers allowance). Applications accepted from parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings, as well as GPs, consultants, nurses or social workers.

4. Family Day Trips

Single day experiences to zoos, farm parks, theme parks, the seaside or theatre for eligible families meeting the same criteria as family respite breaks.

5. Independent Visitors Scheme

Dedicated grants scheme for groups of Independent Visitors and their matches (children living in foster or residential care) to go on day trips.

Priority Areas

The charity supports children aged 3-17 who:

• Have learning difficulties, physical or mental disabilities
• Have acute, chronic or life-limiting illnesses
• Have been abused or neglected
• Have witnessed domestic violence
• Have been bereaved
• Act as carers for a parent or sibling
• Have special educational needs
• Are young carers

What They Don't Fund

• Children outside the 3-17 age range
• Trips or breaks outside the UK (for family respite breaks)
• Costs beyond tickets/passes and transport for group activities
• Additional adults beyond key carers for group activities (must be self-funded)
• Families with household income over £28,000 (for family break applications, excluding PIP/DLA, Child Benefit, or carers allowance)

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Governance and Leadership

Happy Days Children's Charity is governed by a board of trustees who serve on a voluntary basis. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity, ensuring that all funds raised go directly to supporting children and families. The charity operates with a lean staff team including key contact persons Ann DaRocha and Theresa who handle application support and queries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year - no fixed deadlines.

Application Method:

1. Download the appropriate application pack from www.happydayscharity.org/applications
2. Choose the form for your specific need: group day trips, family respite breaks, or group activity holidays
3. Complete the application form and feedback form
4. Submit via email or post

Pre-Application Support:

For questions or help completing the form, contact Ann DaRocha at ann@happydayscharity.org or call 01462 530710.

Essential Requirements:

• All key carers accompanying children must be DBS cleared
• Organizations must have a child protection policy in place
• For family breaks: proof of household income (must be £28,000 or under)

Post-Activity Requirement:

The charity asks applicants to complete a feedback form and provide feedback (pictures, photos, letters etc.) after the activity has taken place, allowing them to demonstrate impact to supporters.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not published, but applications are processed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, with over 30,000 children supported annually, the charity demonstrates significant reach and capacity to support multiple applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting period is published. Contact the charity directly for guidance on reapplying if an application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements

• DBS Clearance: All accompanying adults must have current DBS checks
• Safeguarding Policy: Organizations must demonstrate child protection policies are in place
• Income Verification: Family applicants must provide evidence of household income under £28,000
• Clear Need: Applications should clearly demonstrate how children meet eligibility criteria (additional needs, disabilities, trauma, caring responsibilities, etc.)

Strengthen Your Application

• Demonstrate how the trip or break will benefit children's social skills, confidence-building, and wellbeing
• Highlight the respite value for families or young people who rarely get opportunities for leisure activities
• Show that children face barriers preventing access to normal childhood experiences
• Emphasize educational or developmental benefits (sensory awareness, communication skills, etc.)
• Be specific about what you're requesting - clear destination, dates, number of children, transport needs

Recent Funded Projects

In 2023, the charity provided a £2,000 grant to support two groups of children in attending specialized theatre productions of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Beauty and the Beast” at two different schools, which helped children's sensory awareness and improved their social and communication skills.

Terminology

The charity uses language focused on:

• “Children with additional needs”
• “Respite breaks”
• “Special days out”
• “Opportunity to experience life”
• “Removing barriers”
• “Building confidence and skills”

Post-Approval Requirements

Successful applicants must provide post-activity feedback including photos, letters from beneficiaries, or other evidence of impact. This helps the charity demonstrate value to donors and supporters.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Rolling applications: No deadlines mean you can apply whenever needed, but plan ahead for your desired activity dates
• Focus on barriers: Emphasize how children's circumstances prevent them from accessing normal childhood experiences
• Essential compliance: Ensure all DBS checks and safeguarding policies are current before applying - these are non-negotiable requirements
• Income documentation: For family breaks, have proof of household income ready (under £28,000 threshold)
• Feedback commitment: Be prepared to provide post-activity feedback with photos/testimonials - this is important to the charity
• Keep it UK-based: Family respite breaks must be within the UK (2-4 nights)
• Clear beneficiary focus: Applications should center on how the experience benefits children aged 3-17 with documented additional needs
• Value for money: The charity funds tickets/passes and transport - be specific about costs to demonstrate value

References

• Happy Days Children's Charity official website: www.happydayscharity.org
• Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1010943: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1010943
• Happy Days Children's Charity - Apply for Funding: https://www.happydayscharity.org/applications
• Action Together - Happy Days Children's Charity: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/happy-days-childrens-charity
• Funding Scotland - Happy Days Children's Charity: https://funding.scot/funders/0013z00002WeuoPAAR/happy-days-childrens-charity
• Focus Foundation - Happy Days Children's Charity Success Story: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/our-impact/success-stories/happy-days-childrens-charity/
• Charity Commission accounts data showing £551,432 in grants awarded for year ended 31 March 2020