Vote for one of seven charities tackling chronic disease

**This round is now closed **

This round supports voluntary organisations that offer services to individuals suffering from chronic disease and their families.

Cartoon hands in the air and a graphic of a woman with a mobile phone.

The first public vote was in August 2025

The first public voting round was held Monday 11 August – Sunday 17 August 2025

It was designed to allocate funds to organisations that support people who have a chronic illness.
The organisation with the most votes received a £5,000 grant. Every other organisation included received £500.

Arts for Dementia

Arts for Dementia is a UK-based organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of people living with early-stage dementia—and their carers—through creative arts workshops delivered free of charge. Established in 2011, the charity works in partnership with leading artists and cultural venues to deliver visual arts, drama, dance, sculpture, poetry, and film‑based workshops that support wellbeing, connection and confidence. Based in London, with programmes delivered across England, Arts for Dementia collaborates with galleries, museums, and community spaces to ensure inclusive arts access in local settings. Its community‑based, year‑round model launched in 2023 significantly increased participation—by around 130 %—and participant return to multiple sessions rose from under 30 % to over 60 %.

Participant feedback via the UCL Wellbeing Umbrella shows high scores—including over 4.5/5 for feelings like cheerful, absorbed, active and inspired. The charity relies entirely on donations, volunteers, and partnerships to keep its programmes free for all.

Learn more at artsfordemtia.org

Asthma Relief

Asthma Relief Charity is a UK-based organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and other breathing-related illnesses. Founded in 1997 by Dave Penman, the charity provides essential medical equipment, including nebulisers and related consumables, to patients across the UK.

Operating from Swindon, Asthma Relief collaborates closely with hospitals, GP surgeries, hospices, and community nurses to ensure timely delivery of equipment, particularly through its Rapid Response Service. Each year, the charity donates over 1,500 nebulisers and other respiratory equipment enabling many patients to manage their conditions effectively at home, thereby reducing hospital admissions and improving quality of life. Asthma Relief relies on donations and fundraising efforts to continue its vital work, offering support to both children and adults affected by chronic respiratory conditions.

Learn more at asthmarelief.org.uk

Epilepsy Scotland

Epilepsy Scotland, founded in 1954, is dedicated to supporting the over 80,000 people living with epilepsy across Scotland through practical, emotional, and financial services. At its Glasgow-based HQ, the charity offers a free confidential helpline, check-in calls, online peer support groups, and a wide range of publications to provide trusted information.

Their Welfare Rights Service aids users with benefit claims and appeals. The Wellbeing service delivers one-to-one and group support, professional counselling, and workshops aimed at reducing isolation, stress, and anxiety associated with epilepsy, available both in-person and online across Scotland. For children and young people, they offer targeted youth support, school awareness talks, and social activities to foster confidence and inclusion. Epilepsy Scotland’s mission is to have the voices of people with epilepsy heard and to challenge stigma and barriers, ensuring fair access to healthcare, support, and social inclusion for all.

Lean more at epilepsyscotland.org.uk

Heart Heroes

Heart Heroes is a UK charity that supports children living with congenital or acquired heart conditions, along with their families. The charity operates across England and Wales, creating inclusive communities through local hubs, events, and peer support groups. Their mission is to promote wellbeing, reduce isolation, and celebrate each child’s abilities. Heart Heroes offers tailored programmes for younger children, young adult sessions, plus dedicated parent and bereavement groups. Innovative initiatives such as Caboodle – which connects children with care home residents – help build confidence and social skills in meaningful ways.

The charity is also renovating its Gloucester base through The Big Heart Build, creating a central hub for families and activities. Heart Heroes is funded entirely through donations, fundraising, and volunteers, making public support essential. Through compassion, creativity, and community, Heart Heroes helps heart families feel seen, supported, and strong.

Learn more at heartheros.co.uk

National Kidney Federation

National Kidney Federation (NKF) is the UK’s largest patient-led kidney charity, established in 1979 to support those affected by kidney disease, run by patients and carers for patients and families. Providing vital services to an estimated 3.25 million kidney patients (stages 3–5) across the UK, NKF offers an independent free-to-call helpline, distributes more than 70,000 information leaflets annually, and facilitates a nationwide peer support service connecting individuals with lived experience of dialysis, transplant, and chronic kidney conditions. NKF is also the umbrella organisation for 51 local Kidney Patient Associations (KPAs), campaigning for improved renal treatment and healthcare access across NHS services and public policy. Their national annual conference brings patients, carers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers together to share knowledge and advocate for better treatment standards.

Donations help sustain NKF’s Helpline, support networks, and clear, accessible information—empowering patients to make informed decisions and ensuring their voices remain central to improvement in kidney care and for their families to understand more about kidney disease.

Learn more at kidney.org.uk

SKCIN - The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity

SKCIN – The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity is the UK’s leading specialist skin cancer charity, established in 2006 in memory of Karen Clifford who lost her life to melanoma. SKCIN is dedicated to prevention and early detection of both melanoma and non‑melanoma skin cancer through high-impact educational interventions and awareness campaigns.

SKCIN operates five nationally accredited programmes targeting key audiences—Sun Safe Schools, Sun Safe Nurseries, Sun Safe Workplaces, hair & beauty professionals (via the MASCED training), and mobile health technology. Their MASCED training has accredited over 10,000 professionals, equipping them to spot early signs of skin cancer in clients, potentially helping over a million people . Since May 2024, they have rolled out the Sun Safe Workplaces accreditation, helping employers protect outdoor workers from harmful UV exposure. SKCIN also offers the free SKCIN app, a comprehensive education and self‑management tool featuring UV forecasts, risk assessments, skin checking guidance, and early warning detection features . Through campaigns, partnerships, policy advocacy, and digital tools, SKCIN empowers communities across the UK to take charge of skin health—and ultimately save lives.

Learn more at skcin.org

Teapot Trust

Teapot Trust is a UK-wide charity founded in 2010 by Laura and John Young, inspired by their daughter Verity’s own experiences with chronic illness. It specialises in delivering art therapy and creative wellbeing interventions for children and young people living with long-term, often painful conditions such as juvenile arthritis, cystic fibrosis, kidney disease, and more. Operating in hospitals, community settings, schools, hospices, and online, professionally qualified art therapists deliver one-to-one, peer‑group, and family sessions that help participants express feelings, build resilience, and develop coping strategies.

Since inception, the charity has supported over 15,000 young people, with about 92 % making measurable progress toward their therapeutic goals. Notable initiatives include their Elsewhere Garden from the Chelsea Flower Show, now permanently installed at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children as a creative therapeutic space. Teapot Trust’s vision is a future where every child with a chronic condition can access transformative art therapy free of cost or barriers. Learn more at teapot-trust.org

Learn more at teapot-trust.org