People’s Choice Award 2025 Bronze Over £50million
At aged 11, following a challenging home life in Derry, Northern Ireland, Christopher was placed in care. He spent a year in foster homes and then moved into a children’s home in Scotland where he stayed for four years until it closed. At 16 he moved into Action for Children’s ISSC Children's Home in Ayrshire. Staff there have supported Christopher through his struggles with anxiety and low mental health, guided him through further education, and watched him grow into a confident young man. Christopher, 18, is now thriving. He recently got his first job working at a bakery and is transitioning to independent living.
We're driven by love to take action for children.
Our vision is that every child and young person has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.
We put children at the heart of everything we do. That includes our mission and values. They’re our blueprint for the way we work.
We take action to change the childhoods of those who need help to thrive. Giving vulnerable children and young people the protection and practical help they urgently need and tirelessly campaigning for lasting change.
We take action in three ways.
Intervention. Anyone can get trapped in poverty, abuse or violence. When we spot problems, we take action early. We step in to help children, young people and families before things get worse.
Prevention. We give young people the support they need to grow up safe and happy. Projects like The Blues Programme teach important life skills and help to build resilience. It’s simple and it works.
Advocacy. Children don’t have a say in many things that affect their lives. We listen to what they want. We take their concerns to the government. And we campaign for better support and resources.
We want to rewrite the future of vulnerable children across the UK.
A lot has changed since we began in 1869, but our ambition – to give children safe and happy childhoods – shines just as bright.
We’ve applied all our of experience and expertise to develop our ambitious strategy to help more vulnerable children, young people and their families.
The strategy focuses on developing our services in four core areas: family support, children in care, disabled children, and mental health and wellbeing.
Our seven goals will help us become stronger and more sustainable, so we can ensure more children are safe and happy.
Our ambition is big. But we believe in the passion and ability of everybody in the Action for Children family to give more vulnerable children a safe and happy childhood.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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