Who we help:

Subsidised or fully funded holidays will be available for people or families on a low income, people with a long-term disability, disabling condition or life-limiting illness.

To decide if a person or family is eligible for support, we will also look at the income and the impact of disability on the person or family.

Confirmation of UK residency status will also be required if they are not a UK national (we may ask for a residency card or similar), and that the applicant has lived within the UK for six months or more.

Eligibility:

Spectrum Holidays will focus on supporting families on a low income. People or families are likely to be eligible for a subsidised holiday if they receive one of the following:

Universal Credit

Child Tax Credit

Carers allowance (for the person who will be directly benefitting from the holiday)

Working Tax Credit

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

Income Related Employment Support Allowance

Income Support

Housing Benefit

Pension Credit

Free school meals

Families will need to send a copy of their most recent benefit entitlement, showing the name of the applicant, or main carer of the family, and current address.

We will also accept direct referrals from professionals, social services and local authority children services and adult social care, as well as charities that directly support families that meet our criteria. Please contact us here for more information

How we help:

At Spectrum Holidays we believe holidays should be accessible to all autistic people, their families and/or carers. We work with existing holiday homeowners and businesses around the UK, as well as having our own charity holiday homes in Northumberland. Full details of the holiday home and their facilities are then listed on our website with an emphasis on the needs of neurodivergent people (types of window/door locks, near any bodies of water, noise levels etc) so that people can make informed choices on where they would like to holiday. To help make the holiday more accessible a “Spectrum Pack” of sensory toys and equipment is provided to every holiday home that is listed on the website. The pack contains popular handheld fidget and sensory toys to help autistic people regulate their sensory input and ease anxiety caused by being in a new place. We also design and produce personalised visual stories and countdown calendars to help prepare an autistic person for their stay.

Will I still need to pay a security bond.

The individual terms of the holiday homes are set by the holiday home owners and some do ask for a security bond to be paid. The bond would need to be paid directly to us and would be refunded following a satisfactory check of the holiday home upon departure.

To ensure Spectrum Experience Breaks are positive, safe, and beneficial for all involved, participating families must agree to the following terms:

💙 Participation & Purpose

Spectrum Experience Breaks are offered in exchange for honest feedback and shareable content. Families agree to:

• Provide a genuine account of their stay
• Capture photos and videos of the accommodation and surroundings
• Allow Spectrum Holidays to use this content across our website and social media

🏡 Suitability of the Property

Families are responsible for ensuring that:

• They have read all available information about the holiday home prior to applying
• The property is suitable for their family’s individual needs
• They contact Spectrum Holidays with any questions or queries about the holiday home or its location before committing to an experience break.

Spectrum Holidays will not accept or publish negative feedback based on:

• A property not meeting needs that were clearly outlined in advance
• A mismatch between the property and a family’s requirements where this could have been identified beforehand

📋 Property Terms & Responsibilities

Families must:

• Agree to and comply with all terms and conditions set by the individual holiday home provider
• Pay any required security/damage bond, in line with the property’s policies (refundable subject to their terms)
• Respect the property, its contents, and surrounding environment during their stay

🚗 Travel & Availability

Families must:

• Be able to travel to and from the property independently
• Be available for the specific dates provided (these will typically be during term time)

📸 Content Requirements

As part of the experience, families agree to:

• Capture a range of photos and short video clips during their stay
• Highlight both positive features and practical aspects of the property
• Share feedback in a timely manner following their break

⚠️ Additional Notes

• Participation is subject to meeting Spectrum Holidays funding criteria
• Spectrum Holidays reserves the right to select families based on suitability and availability
• Breaks are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or alternative dates

🌈 Our Aim

These breaks are designed to support families while helping others make informed decisions. By taking part, you are contributing to a growing, honest, and supportive community 💙