Every child should grow up safe and happy. Action for Children offers support to help children thrive, and step in to help when times get tough. We work to improve the lives of children, young people, and families in the U.K. by building solid foundations and spotting problems early.
We protect and support children, young people and families with practical and emotional care and support. We ensure their voices are heard and campaign to bring lasting improvements to their lives.
Children are in poverty if they grow up in families with incomes below 60% of the average, 4.2 million children in the UK living in poverty. That is 3 in 10 children. Using the interactive link below, you can see the impact of child hardship and poverty in your postcode area, and support Action for Children in campaigning to your local MP to make the changes necessary to make a lasting impact on ending poverty across the UK.
What’s the impact of child hardship where you live?
Action for Children support through parenting classes, residential breaks, emergency support and much more, which you can read about in more detail here: Action for Children
We’ve been helping children for more than 150 years. Today, we have 447 services across the UK, in local communities, in schools and online.
In 2021/22, we helped 671,275 children, young people, and families. This included supporting 469,900 parents via our online service Parent Talk, including 8,989 one-to-one conversations.
Last year, we helped over 100,000 young people with their mental health and wellbeing.
A total of 7,709 young people have benefitted since The Blues Programme began five years ago.
79% of students say the Blues has improved their confidence.
76% feel comfortable talking about their mental health.
96% would recommend Blues to a friend.
We have 248 foster homes across the UK
Our dedicated foster carers make sure more than 233 children and young people have a safe and loving home every year.
We supported more than 102,000 children and families in our children’s centres last year
This includes programmes to help parents bond with their children, support on health and nutrition, and help for those who have suffered domestic abuse.
How can you help?
Taking the first step in joining us to make this difference using the tool above, there are many opportunities to join Action for Children in providing a safe and happy childhood for all children.
Whether on your own, with friends/family, or colleagues, you can get involved with a range of challenges and campaigns whether you join in on team building, host a bake sale, or to boost your adrenaline rush! You can support Action for Children with a skydive, bungee jump, or abseiling off a cliff, and some of the below running events (to name a few).
London Marathon: Join 44,000 people running the London Marathon for Action for Children to receive our superb stewardship in addition to an invite to an exclusive post-race party; celebrating your accomplishment with special amenities and professional photos with your medal and a beaming sense of pride.
Cambridge Half Marathon: Take in the best scenery the city of Cambridge has to offer, in this 13.1-mile route, with flat and fast terrain offers the perfect opportunity for both experienced and first-time half-marathon runners.
There are many more running, walking and extreme sports and challenge events, which can be arranged and supported by your local fundraising manager, you can contact Regional Fundraising Manager of East Anglia & Home Counties - Olivia via email: olivia.tomkinson@actionforchildren.org.uk.