VICTA grant scheme for children and young adults who are severely sight impaired
Important update
VICTA grant applications are currently paused.
Please note, we have received a large number of grant applications and as a response have currently paused applications. Please sign up to VICTA updates to receive an update once they reopen. If you have any questions, please contact grants@victa.org.uk.
Thank you for your understanding.
In 2025 applications will only be considered for children and young people who are registered or are registerable as blind or severely sight impaired (SSI) from the age of 8, up to and including the age of 29 years and who are permanent residents in the UK. The programme is designed to help young people build or maintain their independence and retain control of their lives and leisure time.
Items covered under the VICTA grant scheme
- A VICTA assigned laptop
- Assigned software
- A VICTA assigned laptop + assigned software
- Items for independent living e.g. white canes, talking measuring jugs, talking induction hobs
Please note, equipment supplied through our grant scheme is for home use only (not for school, college or work).
Successful applicants will be asked for a minimum 20% contribution towards the grant.
Items not covered under the VICTA grant programme
- Mobile phones
- iPads
- TVs
- Household white goods
- Building or gardening maintenance
- Travel costs to and from school/college or hospital appointments
- Family holidays
- Funding for respite care
- Funding for childcare
- Payment towards maintenance, insurance or extended warranties
- Equipment or software training
- Wheelchairs or other equipment which is not specifically to support the child’s/young person’s visual impairment
VICTA standard computing equipment
VICTA will provide the following standard minimum specifications for laptops:
- VICTA assigned laptop: HP DSA Standard Laptop, 15.6” display, Intel Core i5, 8GB Ram, 512 SSD, Weight 1.74kg
In terms of specialist software, we currently offer one of the following specialist software applications:
- Jaws Home Edition 2023
- Dolphin Supernova Screen Reader 2023
- Dolphin Supernova Screen Reader V22 USB
- Dolphin Supernova Magnifier and Screen Reader V22 USB
- ZoomText Magnification/Screen Reader 2023
Software can be pre-loaded onto a VICTA assigned laptop, or if you have your own laptop or desktop, specialist software as detailed above can be requested.
If you have a specific requirement, you will need to provide details of why you require the alternative model or software.
VICTA grant criteria – who can apply?
- To be certified as severely sight impaired (blind), your sight has to fall into one of the following categories, while wearing any glasses or contact lenses that you may need:
- visual acuity of less than 3 / 60 with a full visual field
- visual acuity between 3 / 60 and 6 / 60 with a severe reduction of field of vision, such as tunnel vision
- visual acuity of 6 / 60 or above but with a very reduced field of vision, especially if a lot of sight is missing in the lower part of the field
- Only one grant will be awarded to an applicant within a two-year period
- Computers and/or software and items for independent living will only be considered for children and young adults aged 18 to 29 years
- Computers will only be given once before the age of sixteen and once after, and there must be a 5-year gap between the grants
- A maximum of 2 laptops/desktop computers can be supplied to any one applicant
2025 application schedule
All grants are reviewed and awarded on a quarterly basis at the discretion of the VICTA Trustees and are dependent on available funding. Outcomes will be notified by email, no outcomes will be given over the telephone.
The following schedule applies in 2025
July to September 2025
- Applications must be received before: Friday 19 September 2025
- Trustees Review date: Tuesday 30 September 2025
October to December 2025
- Applications must be received before: Friday 5 December 2025
- Trustees Review date: Tuesday 16 December 2025
Please note, while we work to a fixed schedule the Trustee review dates are subject to change.
The application process
Get involved with VICTA Activities
VICTA organises activities for vision impaired children and young adults aged 0 to 29 years, designed to instil confidence, promote independence and build social networks to share information and reduce isolation. Visit our activity calendar to find out what’s coming up.
Don’t miss a thing!
The best way to make sure you don’t miss out on new activities and opportunities at VICTA is to sign up to our email updates.
