Rainbow Umbrella Charitable Trust

Until it was closed due to funding cuts, we ran an award-winning After-school care programme for children with disabilities.

All children have the right to engage in out-of-school activities that are fun, safe, and help them to develop important social skills and friendships. Families also need properly funded respite that does not further isolate them or their children.

Current government funding for after-school care for children with disabilities is THE SAME as that of mainstream children - around $6 subsidised per hour.

Because the level of care and support required by Rainbow kids means a higher staff:child ratio, the actual cost for these families is over $25 per hour. It is clearly impossible and unfair that these families have to pay the extra $19 per hour out of their own pocket. This is a breach of their rights to equal and equitable treatment and access by our government.

We want to advocate for children and families who need access to quality out-of-school care and also run a monthly social club for families in the Hawke's Bay area. In order to keep running and hopefully grow our social club service, we need your help to finance staffing, equipment, maintenance, venue and some health & safety related administration.

Our Rainbow kids love coming to the social club and we are excited to continue providing this service as long as we can.