Supporting Families
We are a charity dedicated to developing children and young people through sport. One of our key objectives is to assist children from UK families that are in need of support or assistance. Our ‘Supporting Families’ programme aims to ‘Make a Difference’ to the lives of UK children from a range of difficult or disadvantaged family circumstances, including financial hardship, terminal illness, bereavement and other difficult family situations.
We seek to improve the well-being and happiness of the child and their family by offering the opportunity for children to experience a week of fun and structured activity, while giving the family a respite opportunity or financial assistance with childcare during the holidays.
"My grandson is so much happier – he ran straight up to me after his first day and couldn’t thank me enough for letting him go to camp. Thank you for the assisted place."
Our commitment to ‘Supporting Families’ in 2012 is to provide 1,400 free or financially assisted places on King’s Camps, Michael Vaughan Cricket and International Soccer Schools at venues throughout the UK during the Easter, Summer and October school holidays for those children who need it most.
King’s Camps in Botswana, Uganda and South Africa also offer assisted places through the ‘Supporting Families’ programme by providing places for children of disadvantaged families in their own country. Find out more about King's Camps Botswana and King's Camps South Africa.
"The positive benefits of King’s Camps have been beneficial in helping the children begin to enjoy life again and would not have been accessed without the assisted places scheme. I strongly feel that the scheme allows all children to reap the benefits of sport and for this family, it has been greatly beneficial." Senior Practitioner, Barnardo’s
Apply for a 'Supporting Families' place
You can apply for a Supported Family place with King's Camps for yourself or on behalf of a 3rd party. If you’re currently experiencing difficult family circumstances, whether that be through financial hardship, bereavement or illness and likewise, if you are a teacher, hospice worker or social worker and know of a family or child who would benefit from a 'Supporting Families' place with us then please download and complete an application form.
Supporting Families Application Form
If you experience difficulties viewing the form then please call us on 0845 643 5261 or email supportingfamilies@kingsfoundation.org.
Please include written proof of your circumstances e.g. tax credit or income support information, or a letter of support from a school official or other agency. Please include your total annual household income and the number of children you are applying for. Photocopies are acceptable and original copies will be returned on request. The more information you supply will enable us to ensure we award you the appropriate level of subsidy. All the information you provide will be kept confidential.
If you are successful, we will notify you within 3 weeks of receiving your application. You will then be able to book your places with the discount we have allocated.
Please send your application to:
Supporting Families, The King’s Foundation, 47 Snaithing Lane, Sheffield, S10 3LF
How your money makes a difference
Since 1991, more than 10,000 assisted places on our activity camps have been provided to children and families in a range of difficult family situations. Over the years, our work has made a real difference to the lives of many disadvantaged families in the UK and Africa and we have been privileged to witness the positive impact we have made on thousands of children.
We establish partnerships with local schools, hospices, palliative care units, social workers and community support workers to ensure that our ‘Supporting Families’ activity camp places are awarded to families and children who are in real need.
"It was comforting for my son to be in such 'normal', upbeat surroundings with enthusiastic people at a time in his life when all other normality had gone ."
"I greatly appreciated the service and the benefits it brought my son and I."
"Attending the camp made a big impact on my child, her confidence has increased so much. Her self esteem is positive towards school and life on the whole."
Georgia's Story
Georgia is one of a family of 5 children who live alone with their mother who has been diagnosed terminally ill with cancer. In 2009 Georgia and her siblings were given the opportunity to attend King’s Camps through the Supporting Families programme and the experience transformed their summer holidays.
Georgia and her siblings had lots of fun on the activity camps and the experience enhanced their self esteem, gave them the confidence boost they needed and respite from their worries and stressful life. Her Mum was also able to relax knowing that her children were well cared for during the summer holidays.
"King’s Camps made a huge difference to the girls last summer – it was great to see them smiling and enjoying themselves, thank you." Rebecca Huxham, Social Worker in Family Support Team
Sadly Georgia’s mum died and the family are now being cared for by their elder sister, Amy aged 22. Through the Supporting Families programme, Georgia and her family are hoping to return to King’s camps this year and catch up with the friends they made last year and give their elder sister the respite she deserves.
By making a donation to the Supporting Families Programme you too can help support families like Georgia’s. For further details please contact our Membership Team on 0845 643 5261.
