Welcome to MoMo Helps

Mo Mowlam set up MoMo Helps in 2004 because of her experience as an MP in Redcar.  Many parents and carers of disabled children talked to her about the pressures on them and how hard it was to get help with respite care. Alongside this, Mo knew from her experience as a cabinet minister that it was very difficult for recovering drug misusers to get back into education or employment because, for example, they couldn’t afford course books, equipment or work clothes.  So, MoMo Helps was set up to provide easy access to small grants that can make a big difference.

The aims of MoMo Helps are:

• To provide opportunities for those families and carers who are unable to afford respite care for their disabled dependant by: Providing easy access to such monies as would enable them to have, for example, a much-needed holiday.  This will usually mean covering the cost of childcare in a suitable quality residential respite facility and family holiday financial support.

• To provide opportunities for recovering and ex-drug users to participate in such activities that build their self esteem and support their reintegration into society by: Providing easy access to such monies as would enable them to participate in particular activities or groups which will help them develop confidence as an individual and/or a parent.

Look at our Contact page to find out how to get in touch. Anyone wanting to apply for a grant will be asked to complete a simple form and give details of a sponsor to support their application.  The application will then be considered by the Board of Trustees.  MoMo Helps doesn’t have any paid staff – it is run by a handful of committed volunteers who are also involved in fund raising.  We will help where we can but we never have enough money to go round and we have to make some hard decisions.

We know that what we do makes a difference because our beneficiaries have told us so:

My daughter has complex medical needs which need constant monitoring. Your help would enable us to have a break knowing that my little girl is safe and well cared for.”

We have to care full time for our severely autistic son.  As a family we are totally burn out.  We would love all to go on a family holiday in a caravan.”

I became clean in 2008 and went onto a painting and decorating course.  I will be qualified this year. I have been in and out of jails, hospitals and treatment centres and for once in my life I am the closest to ever being normal or responsible.”