The Nihal Armstrong Trust

Description

The Nihal Armstrong Trust is a small charity set up in memory of Nihal Armstrong, who died aged 17 on the eve of his GCSE exams. Nihal had cerebral palsy. They provide children with essential pieces of equipment, communication aids or specific services that their local authority does not provide.

Eligibility Criteria

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to apply to us while at the same time making sure the money goes to people who are genuinely in need.

You must be in receipt of means tested benefits and be able to send us evidence of this. Please note that Disability Living Allowance is not a means tested benefit.

Ideally we need a letter of support from a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist (OT) or Speech and Language Therapist, SALT, depending on the equipment/service needed. If this is not possible we may accept a letter from another professional who knows the child well eg class teacher.

We meet three times a year and we will let you have our decision as soon as possible after the meeting.

The dates of the next 4 meetings are:

• 11th July 2024, closing date for submission, 27th June 2024
• 14th November 2024, closing date for submission, 31st October 2024

Applications from all over the UK welcome.

We would prefer to receive applications via the website where possible. If you are sending literature on equipment/services or suppliers' estimates, you could forward these to us by post to the address given at the bottom of this page.

Please note: As we are all volunteers, we do not have time to ensure that you have submitted the correct documentation. Your application will not be considered if you do not send all the supporting documents.

Availability

Please note that we do not fund holidays, refurbishment costs and household appliances, like washing machines. We do NOT part-fund applications for equipment/services amounting to more than £1000.

We are receiving a large number of applications for iPads. Our current policy is to fund the basic model of the new iPad 2. The letter of evidence from a SALT or OT or schoolteacher needs to state that the child has tried one and can use it. If you need a more advanced model, please ask the professional supporting your application to outline the reasons for it. Where possible parents applying for iPads should ask their child’s school if they would order the iPad on their behalf. We will pay the school directly. This would help spread our money further as schools do not pay VAT.

How to Apply

Application Form and Guidance for Applicants