Kidney disease can leave you feeling low, isolated, and trapped at times. You may rely on benefits to get by and it’s not easy when illness stops you working and has a real impact on family life.
We believe holidays, breaks and the ability to take a vacation are an essential part of being able to live a fulfilling life.
Who can apply for a Kidney Care UK holiday grant
Kidney Care UK provides grants to people severely impacted by kidney disease, to the extent that it seriously affects their health and wellbeing, and who are living on a low income.
To be offered a grant, you need to:
- Have an eGFR or less than 29% (CKD stage 4 or 5) or have received a transplant. This includes people on dialysis or receiving conservative care.
- Be a legal resident of the UK.
- Be over the age of 18, or have an adult or guardian apply on your behalf.
- Have a UK bank account. You will be asked to provide a summary of your household finances.
- Provide a letter of support written by a healthcare professional referrer. This could be your renal social worker, consultant, or a member of your kidney team.
If you do not have a renal social worker or other healthcare professional referrer, please contact us.
How to apply
More information about applying for a grant from Kidney Care UK is available on our Patient grants information page.
Remember to wait for a grant decision before making any arrangements. We cannot reimburse you for any deposits or payments that have already been paid.
Please note, we do not contribute toward the cost of dialysis or travel insurance. This is your responsibility to arrange.
Need some extra support? We are committed to making our application process as accessible as possible. If you have any questions or need any additional support with your application, please call our Grants team on 0808 801 0000.
Frequently asked questions
If your application is successful, you will receive a Kidney Care UK Holiday Card voucher, usually worth £750.
This voucher can be used towards the cost of one holiday with our partner, Inspire.
You can use your voucher to cover the total cost of your break, or you may decide to contribute your own money towards a larger trip.
Your Kidney Care UK Holiday Card is registered to the applicant and preloaded with your grant so that you can book your holiday over the phone.
Please do not contact Inspire prior to a voucher being awarded. You will receive full details of how to contact Inspire in your grant confirmation letter and be ready to start the exciting process of planning your trip and finding the best deals.
Inspire will help with all your travel enquiries, arrange any special assistance you may need and answer any questions you might have to ensure you find your perfect holiday. If you choose to contribute your own money towards your holiday, Inspire offer flexible and longer-term payment plans.
Please book your holiday through our partner, Inspire, who will arrange all your travel needs and provide specialist support for people with kidney disease. We have chosen to work with Inspire because we believe they offer the accessibility, choice and knowledge of kidney disease that will ensure you have a refreshing and enjoyable holiday.
Inspire have access to over 400 of the best known and trusted travel providers in the UK and overseas, including brands such as Jet2Holidays, TUI, Hoseasons and many more. Their ABTA license means they can book any kind of break for you, whether you're planning to visit one of over 600 UK holiday parks, a package holiday, or a flights-only trip to stay with family or friends.
If you have seen specific flights or want to travel with a specific holiday tour operator, Inspire should be able to book them for you as a travel agent.
You must choose and book your trip within 6 months of receiving your Holiday Card, but the actual dates of your trip can be after this time.
How is Kidney Care UK funded?
Kidney Care UK are a charity. That means we rely on the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our fundraisers to provide our services, including the financial support we offer to people with kidney disease.
We don't receive money from the government or the NHS. We want to make sure our support makes a real difference to the lives of people with kidney disease. If we aren't able to give you a grant or the full amount asked for, we will explain why and try to direct you to other sources of support, including our free Support Line.
Find out more about Kidney Care UK and our mission.
How can I say thank you?
People we have supported financially often ask how they can thank Kidney Care UK or support our work.Some people support us by helping us raise money. You can also leave us a gift in your Will. If you are interested in volunteering for us, we would love to hear from you at [email protected] love to hear that our support has made a difference. By sharing your story, you help us show supporters and donors that their contribution can make a real and lasting difference to people's lives.If you have received financial support from Kidney Care UK and feel comfortable sharing how it has impacted your life (ideally with some photos!) please email [email protected] or write to us at Kidney Care UK, 3-4 The Windmills, St. Mary’s Close, Alton, GU34 1EF. Thank you!