A £75,000 grant from The Health Lottery Foundation has helped the UK’s only national wish-granting charity, Dreams Come True, deliver a series of transformative experiences and projects for children living in some of the most deprived communities across the UK.
The funding has enabled the charity to deliver a mix of deeply personal individual dreams and large-scale community initiatives, ultimately benefiting more children than originally anticipated. While the initial target aimed to support 1,560 young people, the programme is now projected to reach 1,636 children thanks to careful delivery and strong partnerships with local organisations.
Supporting Children Through Individual and Community Dreams
The grant was originally awarded to fund eleven individual dreams and five community projects. So far, eight individual dreams and two community dreams have already been completed, with the remaining initiatives currently progressing toward completion.
One of the most impactful community projects took place at St Ninians Primary School in Glasgow. The sensory inclusion initiative supports 75 pupils with autism and sensory difficulties, many of whom face barriers to full participation in school life.
With nearly half the school community living in areas of high deprivation and many pupils eligible for free school meals, the project focused on creating accessible sensory spaces throughout the school. New outdoor musical equipment, calming dens for assemblies, and weighted classroom resources have helped pupils regulate emotions, feel safe and participate more confidently in daily activities.
Teachers have already reported improvements in independence and self-awareness, with children actively choosing tools that help them manage sensory overload and return to learning feeling calm and focused.
Personal Dreams Transforming Daily Life
Alongside community projects, the funding has also supported individual dreams designed around each child’s unique needs.
For Remario, a 14-year-old living with autism and fascinated by aviation, a bedroom makeover created a calming personal space inspired by flight paths and aircraft. The transformation has helped him sleep better and manage anxiety more effectively.
“I asked for a teenage dorm room and it’s even better than what I asked for,” Remario said. “With my night lights on it looks like I’m on a night flight. I love it all.”
Another life-changing dream was granted to Adeyinka, a 17-year-old with learning disabilities and limited verbal communication. His wish focused on creating shared family memories through a supported trip to London. The experience included visits to iconic attractions such as the London Eye and SEA LIFE London Aquarium, creating joyful moments for the whole family.
The charity also supported Romeo, a young boy with autism and severe learning disabilities who had spent months out of education. By providing specialist sensory and movement equipment for his home, including a garden swing and interactive sensory tools, Dreams Come True helped create a safe environment where Romeo could regulate his emotions and engage more comfortably in everyday life.
The results have been significant, with reduced distress and calmer days for both Romeo and his family.
Long-Term Impact for Families and Communities
Lisa King OBE, CEO of Dreams Come True, emphasised the long-lasting impact of the funding.
“This funding has allowed us to respond to both individual and collective need in a really meaningful way. From a child finally having a space where they feel calm and understood, to whole school communities becoming more inclusive, the impact of The Health Lottery Foundation’s support will be felt for years to come. These dreams aren’t fleeting moments – they’re changes that genuinely improve daily life.”
Delva Patman, CEO of The Health Lottery Foundation, praised the charity’s work and its measurable impact.
“We are impressed with the impact Dreams Come True has made with the £75,000 awarded – it’s fantastic to read in such detail the difference it has made to the lives of individual children. I’m looking forward to visiting one of the large-scale community projects that have benefitted from our funding later in the year.”
More Projects Planned for 2026
Several community projects funded by the grant are still underway and are expected to be completed by spring 2026. These include additional sensory resources for schools, a fleet of adapted trikes for children with mobility needs, and the construction of an accessible playground fort in Buckie.
Together, these initiatives will further extend the reach and impact of the grant, helping more children experience inclusion, confidence and joy in their daily lives.
To learn more about the charity’s work, visit the official Dreams Come True website: https://www.dreamscometrue.uk.com/
You can also find details about the funding organisation at the The Health Lottery Foundation: https://thehealthlotteryfoundation.org.uk/
