Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Dreams Come True Charity
Donate
Menu
  • Donate
    • Donate now
    • Regular giving
    • Legacy
    • Lottery
    • Donate in memory
    • Other ways to give
  • Get involved
    • Do your own fundraising
    • Fundraising events and challenges
    • Volunteer
    • Community groups
    • Corporate Partners
  • What we do
    • Who we support
    • What is a Dream?
    • Our Dream Stories
    • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Make a Referral
    • Eligibility Criteria
    • How it works
    • Refer a child
    • Community Dreams
  • About us
    • Our Team
    • Our Trustees
    • Our supporters
    • Our blog
    • Governance
    • Contact Us
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria 

The child you would like to refer must meet all of the following;  

  • We only accept dreams for UK residents aged 5-18 years old 
  • Living in the highest areas of deprivation - Deciles 1-3 on the relevant post code checker, links below.
    • Please click here for England, click here for Scotland, click here for NI, and click here for Wales.
  • Living with a disability, serious illness, or life-limiting condition.  
  • The child must not have received a dream/wish with another wish granting charity before.  

Please Note:

  • Please note we only accept referrals from professionals known to the child, including medical, healthcare, educational, or social care professionals.   
  • We extend our age range (2-18 year olds) and deprivation criteria for children who need a dream as soon as possible, please get in touch for more information on this. 

If you are a parent/carer of a child you’d like to refer, please share this information with a professional involved in their care.  

Medical Criteria 

We cover a wide range of medical conditions with examples including: 

  • Cancer treatment
  • Severe autism, learning difficulties or global developmental delay
  • Heart, lung, bowel, and kidney conditions
  • Degenerative neurological disorders or brain damage
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Conditions affecting the immune system
  • Genetic disorders

Please keep in mind this list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure if a child’s medical condition meets our criteria – please get in touch before submitting an application.  

Referrals for the following conditions should include the level of Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment which the child is in receipt of. This helps determine eligibility where conditions occur along a spectrum, specifically with:  

  • Autism: applicants should be in receipt of the moderate or higher rate of the care component 
  • Cerebral palsy: applicants should be in receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component (this may also be useful for other conditions causing restrictions to physical mobility). 
  • Global developmental delay: applicants should be in receipt of the moderate or higher rate of the care component 
  • Learning difficulties: Global developmental delay: applicants should be in receipt of the moderate or higher rate of the care component

Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications for children living with the following conditions alone:  

  • Behavioural Disorders e.g. ADHD, ODD etc. 
  • Mental Illnesses e.g. anorexia, depression, Tourette’s. 
  • Visual Impairment 
  • Hearing Impairment

How it works  

Published: 13th July, 2022

Updated: 3rd March, 2023

Author: Jessica Edwards

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Josh's Darts Dream

    Josh's Darts Dream

    Josh is a darts devotee who was granted his dream of attending a premier league event, and even made it on live TV!

  • Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2023

    Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2023

    We're proud to support #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek 2023!

  • Donate unwanted clothes

    Donate unwanted clothes

    We have teamed up with We Recycle Clothes to collect your unwanted clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories on behalf of Dreams Come True.

  • Morpheus

    Morpheus

    We are delighted to welcome Morpheus as corporate partners for 2023! We are very grateful for their valued support in helping us to make more dreams come true for children who have it tough.

Most read

  • Refer a child

    Refer a child

    We only accept referrals from medical, healthcare, or social care professionals.  Applications are on a first come first served basis, to ensure that no child is waiting too long for delivery of their dream.

  • What we do

    What we do

    Dreams Come True is a national Children's Charity who exists to deliver dreams to children who have it tough. We believe every child has the right to dream, no matter who they are or where they live. More info

  • Who we support

    Who we support

    To ensure we reach the children who deserve our attention the most, we work with children who are living in the highest areas of deprivation in the country, and are living with a disability, serious illness, or life-limiting conditions. More info

  • What is a Dream?

    What is a Dream?

    Whether it's a break for a young cancer patient, a specially adapted trike for a child with cerebral palsy, a tablet to help an autistic teenager develop their communication skills, or a seriously ill child’s room makeover. Each dream brings a moments of magic and has a lasting impact for years to come. More info

  • Join the team

    Join the team

    We are always on the lookout for people who share our values and mission and are dedicated to making dreams come true for children who have it tough.

  • How it works

    How it works

    We work exclusively with, and only manage dream referrals from, those who know the Dreamers best –medical, healthcare and social care professionals.

  • About us

    About us

    We make dreams come true for children who are living with a disability, serious illness, or life-limiting conditions from the highest areas of deprivation in the UK. Bringing moments of magic that have a lasting impact for years to come. Our belief is that every young person has the right to dream, no matter who they are, or where they live.

  • Eligibility Criteria

    To ensure we reach the children who need our attention the most, we have a set eligibility criteria that must be met in order to have a dream come true.

  • Get Involved

    Get Involved

    If you're looking to help make more dreams come true, then fundraising is one of the best ways to do it. We have plenty of ways for you to get involved!

  • How do I volunteer?

    How do I volunteer?

    Without our incredible volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to fulfil any of the dreams of the children and young people who live with serious and life-limiting conditions. More info


Dreams Come True
Azets
Ashcombe Court
Woolsack Way
Godalming
Surrey GU7 1LQ

Phone: +44 (0) 1428 726330
Office Hours: 9am-5pm
Email: [email protected]

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Jobs
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Connect with us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • Instagram

Sign up for our newsletter

© Dreams Come True Charity | Registered as a charity in England and Wales (800248) and in Scotland (SCO3878). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No 2301610

Manage Cookie Preferences