Caudwell Children

Caudwell Children, a UK-wide charity founded in 2000 by philanthropist John Caudwell, transforms lives of disabled and autistic children and young people aged 0-25 by delivering rapid, practical, and emotional support where statutory services fall short. Its mission is to create a world of choice, opportunity, dignity, and understanding for neurodivergent youth, guided by values of individuality, compassion, direct impact, and barrier-free provision. Core costs are philanthropically funded, ensuring public donations fuel frontline services, while the award-winning Caudwell International Children’s Centre in Staffordshire pioneers integrated therapy, assessment, and research.

The charity funds targeted interventions like mobility and sensory equipment, autism assessments, neurodevelopmental therapies, life skills training (e.g., Shaping Futures), short breaks, supported holidays (e.g., Destination Dreams for life-limited children), and family support via multidisciplinary teams. It prioritises overcoming barriers to independence and participation, addressing gaps in NHS waiting lists, equipment shortages, and social exclusion, with a focus on families earning under £45,000 for means-tested aid.

Support is exclusively for UK-resident individuals—not organisations—with applications made on behalf of specific children by parents, guardians, or professionals via online forms. Rolling basis with monthly decisions for equipment/therapy (1-6 months total) and quarterly trustee reviews for complex cases; typical grants cover 70-80% of costs (up to £10,000/year, most under £5,000). Autism assessments start at 80% funding from £500.

Distinctively, Caudwell Children rejects organisational or unsolicited charity grants, core/unrestricted funding, and one-size-fits-all models, insisting on tailored, no-waitlist aid with high governance standards, advocacy for systemic change, and partnerships like newlife Charity to amplify seldom-heard voices.