Delivering Evidence for Change Through Research
Our mission is simple: to listen, learn, and amplify the voices and experiences of children and young people. We support those who drive systemic change. By combining rigorous data with first-hand experience, we provide the evidence needed and equip other frontline charities with the tools needed to better support families living in poverty in London.
The Childhood Trust and University of Cambridge – The Digital Divide: AI Toys and Early Development
In partnership with the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education. The Childhood Trust’s new research explores the positive and negative impacts Generative AI (GenAI) has on the development, mental health and wellbeing of preschool children, particularly families facing socio-economic barriers in London.
While GenAI toys have the ability to support aspects of children’s development around language and communication skills, the report warns GenAI toys are not always developed with children’s psychological safety in mind, with GenAI toys not suited in social and behavioural situations.
The report provides recommendations for parents and educators to use GenAI toys with caution, and calls on policymakers to provide clearer regulations to help families.
The Childhood Trust – Housed but Not homed: Addressing the Critical Impact of Furniture Poverty in London
In partnership with eight other charities, our new research highlights the issues and challenges families face around inadequate housing conditions and furniture poverty, and the incredible impact transforming a child’s space can have on their wellbeing and development, and the critical need for policy reform to support families in need.
A second report, aimed at policy-makers and the housing sector, presents the current issues families face around furniture poverty and housing conditions and the impact of these interventions, providing a list of recommendations to improve conditions for families at a systemic level.
Research Archive
Access our latest reports and findings on the realities of child poverty in London.