When Donna was at school, she was excited to take a trip to Paris with her classmates but was denied a space on the holiday. Now, with support from United Response’s People’s Fund, her dream trip has become a reality. 

The People’s Fund was set up in partnership with The Clothworkers Foundation, and provides grants of up to £1,500 for people to achieve their personal goals and aspirations.  

We sat down with Donna to talk about her experience of applying to The People’s Fund and what the trip meant to her.  

The interview 

How have you been feeling since you got your People’s Fund grant?   

I’ve been feeling good! 

What did you use your funding for? 

I was awarded £1,000 to go to Paris. There was a teacher at my school that didn’t give me chance to go on a trip to Paris when I was little as they said there wasn’t space for me. I later found out that this wasn’t true and I could have gone.  

It was such a shame because Paris has always been a dream destination of mine and this would have been the perfect chance to go and share the experience with friends.  

I should also say that there were two other chances to go to Paris while at the SEND school I attended, but each time I was met with a ‘no’ and it felt as if I didn’t deserve to go. 

Going to Paris using the People’s Fund grant felt like getting my own back.  

What did the grant mean to you? 

If it wasn’t for the funding, I couldn’t have afforded to go. The travel, the hotel, it would have been something out of reach. The trip was brilliant and I did so many new things. 

First day I went to the Eiffel tower and went right to top. It was scary. But it was beautiful – a birds-eye view of Paris. Then we went to the Olympic stadium and had pictures taken. I wanted to go because it represents Paris. I loved it. I also went to the Musée d’Orsay, I saw some statues and paintings. I took pictures of the things I liked. I’m creative and love drawing. I wrote a poem about the trip. I took inspiration form paintings.   

Has this inspired you to take more trips? 

Definitely. I’m planning on going to Scotland or Italy next year. Travel is such a valuable thing, and I think more people should get the opportunity to see new places and experience new things.  

How easy was it to apply for the grant? 

Really easy. There’s a website page United Response have and you fill out some details about what you want to use the money for, and they look at what you’ve said and let you know all the next steps.  

What difference has this made to your daily life? 

I’m just happy that I got to take this trip that meant so much. It makes me happier and it inspired me to write a poem [that you can read below]. It inspired me creatively. 

Donna’s poem 

I WALKED IN PARIS TO SEE THE EIFFEL TOWER 

SO HIGH TO CLIMB  

SO UP AND DOWN 

YOU SEE THE CITY FROM AFAR  

SO FAR IT CAUGHT MY EYE 

THEN I WENT BACK DOWN TO SEE PARIS IN ALL ITS GLORY AND ALL ITS FINESS 

AS I LOOKED TO THE PAVEMENT TO SEE THE GARDEN OF PARIS 

SO BEAUTIFUL, I WONDER HOW I’M HERE 

I’VE SEEN PARIS  

THE HISTORY IS PROFOUND TO SEE 

I LOVED EVERY MINUTE 

NOW TIME FOR ME TO GO BACK HOME 

ON THE EUROSTAR 

Want to apply for the People’s Fund?

Applications are open for the latest round of the People’s Fund between 22nd and 28th June 2026. If you want to apply for funding, read the information and apply at: The People’s Fund  – United Response