Funding your child's Voyager car seat
Many families don't pay for a specialist car seat themselves: charities, grants and sometimes local services can cover some or all of the cost. A Voyager can be part of an application if your child needs extra support or keeps escaping their seat. We can help you at every step, from assessment to the quote your funder needs.
About the Voyager
The Voyager costs £1,495 for the seat unit and is made to order, with a 6–8 week turnaround.
- Who it suits: children with additional needs who need more support, from 15kg to 36kg (about 3 to 11–12 years).
- Harness: 5-point harness with one-pull adjustment, plus a chest clip so it can't be slipped off the shoulders.
- Safety: chest pads reduce movement in a collision.
- Support: the cover takes extra foam rolls and side supports for a custom fit.
- Options: recline bar (£90), seat extension (£40) and additional seat cover (£485).
- Colours: grey, beige, burgundy or blue.
The seat is used on a risk-assessment basis, which a parent or guardian can carry out. Include any options you need in your quote so the funder covers them.
Charities that may fund a Voyager
Five charities fund specialist or adapted car seats: Newlife, Caudwell Children, Variety, Children Today and Cash for Kids. Most need a quote from your supplier, and several need a professional to support the application.
| Charity | Who can apply | What they cover | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newlife | UK children under 19 with a disability affecting daily life. Local services must be contacted first. | Specialist car seats up to £10,000; part funding above that. A family contribution may apply. | Apply online through Newlife, with a supporting professional. Can take several months. |
| Caudwell Children | UK children under 19 with a disability or chronic illness. On means-tested benefits, or household income up to £60,000 (excluding benefits) and savings under £16,000. | Up to 80% of the cost. The family pays the rest, and Caudwell can help find other funding for it. | Parent or professional applies. Needs an OT, physio or health professional's support. Call 0345 300 1348 or email applications@caudwellchildren.com. Can take up to 6 months. |
| Variety | Children 18 or under with a recognised disability or long-term condition, living in the UK. | Specialist equipment including car seats. Variety pays the supplier directly; no cash grants. | Needs a supplier quote and usually a letter from an OT or physio. Call 020 7428 8100 or email grants@variety.org.uk. |
| Children Today | Anyone in the UK aged 0–25 with a disability. The family or young person applies, not an organisation. | Grants for adapted equipment, including adapted car seats. Grants are usually partial, so joint funding is encouraged. | Call 01244 335622 first to check eligibility, or email info@childrentoday.org.uk. |
| Cash for Kids | Children up to and including 18 who are ill, disabled or disadvantaged, in a local Cash for Kids radio area. | Local grants, typically £1,000–£3,000. They buy the item for you; no cash grants. Include delivery in the amount you ask for. | Apply online through your local Cash for Kids team. Grants are decided in rounds with deadlines. |
| Family Fund | Low-income families raising a disabled or seriously ill child. | General grants for items linked to your child's needs. Car seats are not listed, so check before applying. | Apply online through Family Fund. |
This list is not exhaustive. Other national and local charities may also fund a Voyager, so it's worth asking your OT or local support groups. See our Additional Needs Charity Directory for more.
You can combine funders: for example, Caudwell's 80% plus a smaller grant towards the family contribution.
Other routes to try
- Your child's OT or physio. Many NHS teams don't fund car seats, but they can advise on the right seat and support charity applications.
- Social care or your local council. Ask first: some charities, including Newlife, need you to have checked local services before applying.
- Smaller and local charities. Local trusts can help top up a family contribution. Grant search sites such as Disability Grants list many more.
- Fundraising. Family, school or community fundraising can cover the balance, and Caudwell accepts the family contribution in instalments.
How we help
We do the supplier side of the application for you, so you can focus on the form.
- Assessment and fitting. Try the Voyager and have it fitted in store at Towcester or Rayleigh (Essex), or at our monthly Belfast clinic (by appointment).
- Official quotes. Every funder above needs one; we send it quickly, addressed to the charity.
- Spec letters. Product details your OT or physio can use in their supporting letter.
- Working with funders. We invoice charities on our approved list once we receive their purchase order. Charities new to us may need to pay upfront.
- Delivery. We deliver across the UK and Ireland for £72. Charities usually cover this, so we include it in the quote.
Tips for a strong application
- Ask your OT or physio early. Most funders won't decide without their support.
- Explain the risk in everyday terms: escaping the harness, needing more support, or having to stop the car to keep your child safe.
- Get your quote from us before you apply, so the form isn't held up.
- Have your income or benefits proof ready. Caudwell asks for it.
- Apply to more than one charity if one only covers part of the cost.
Talk to us
Email info@incarsafetycentre.co.uk or call Towcester on 01908 220909 or Rayleigh (Essex) on 01702 808313 to book an assessment or request a quote.
