Your web browser is out of date. Update your browser for more security, speed and the best experience on this site.
How We Do It

The Challenge

  • 700,000 children in London live in poverty.
  • London is one of the richest cities in the world but has one of the highest rates of child poverty among European capitals.
  • Nearly 75% of children in poverty in London live in working families.
  • Poverty can have detrimental effects on childhood health and development.
How We Do It

Our Solution

  • Delivering projects for children across London – We fund projects delivered by effective local children’s charities. Our matched-fundraising campaigns double donations for donors, generating millions of pounds annually to fund projects supporting children living in poverty.
  • Supporting Children Through Volunteering – Our volunteer programme provides immediate, practical support to vulnerable families and local youth projects by working with companies, registered children’s charities, and local authorities’ Social Services teams.
  • Advocating for Disadvantaged Children – We highlight the voices and experiences of children living in poverty in London through advocacy projects and events. Our research and advocacy work raises awareness of the lived experiences of children who are disadvantaged by poverty.

Our Impact Goals

With 39% of London children living in poverty, our vision is to break the cycle of poverty so that every child experiences the healthy, happy and safe childhood which prepares them well for life. Our new 2023 – 2026 impact strategy "Prepared for Life" provides the framework to ensure that we focus on meeting the needs of children living in poverty in London. Our work is focused on the four priority areas of need below;

Physical Health
Children are Healthy

Fighting food insecurity, malnutrition and health inequalities.  

What we want to achieve:

  • Children have access to hot and nutritious meals, particularly during school holidays
  • Equitable access and promotion of good quality, safe physical leisure activities and play
  • Children have a positive attitude toward their own physical health and attitude to healthcare

We achieve this through:

  • Meal provision / Food vouchers/ Food banks/ Food parcels
  • Cooking and nutrition
  • Play, sports and recreation activities and groups
Mental Health & Wellbeing
CHILDREN ARE RESILIENT

Addressing children’s mental health & emotional wellbeing  

What we want to achieve:

  • Access to & provision of good quality services that promote and support children’s mental health
  • Children have support and a good understanding of their own mental health and emotional well-being
  • Children build confidence, emotional self-control and are resilient

We achieve this through:

  • Therapeutic and non-therapeutic interventions, in groups and 1:1, supporting mental health and wellbeing
  • Mentoring & peer support
  • Supporting parenting & attachment particularly in first 1000 days
  • Providing opportunities for play and socialisation
Home & Community Environment / Citizenship & Community
CHILDREN ARE SAFE

Tackling squalid living conditions and preventing children from feeling lonely and vulnerable

What we want to achieve:

  • Children have a secure and suitable home
  • Children’s living and play spaces are in a fit condition
  • Access to community facilities and services for children & young people

We achieve this through:

  • Home environment improvements
  • Activities that prevent anti-social behaviour
  • Interventions and activities that support the development of positive family and peer relationships
  • Activities and services for children that promote individual wellbeing and community cohesion
Learning & Work Readiness
CHILDREN ARE CONFIDENT

Reducing the impact of educational inequalities

What we want to achieve:

  • Supporting life and work-readiness
  • Reduced barriers to employment, education or training
  • Children feel inspired and hopeful about their future

We achieve this through:

  • Academic mentoring & support
  • Careers education and extracurricular activities
  • Work readiness support & training
  • Services that identify and support vulnerable children

Our Theory of Change

01
ACTIVITIES
close
01
ACTIVITIES

Delivering child poverty intitiatives:

  • Matched fundraising campaigns
  • Volunteering & direct delivery
  • Building the capacity of the sector to support children

Changing the landscape for Children

  • Research
  • Advocacy
  • Events & Campaigns
CLICK
02
OUTCOMES
close
02
OUTCOMES
  • A nutritious diet
  • Regular exercise / play
  • Emotional resilience
  • Reduced stress / anxiety
  • A suitable home environment
  • Positive relationshsips
  • Work / career readiness
  • Improved effectiveness, reputation & impact of The Childhood Trust & our charity partner network
CLICK
03
IMPACT
close
03
IMPACT
  • Improved children's health & wellbeing
  • Improved socio-economic prospects for children

 

 

CLICK
Enablers
  • Successful donor relationships & fundraising
  • Engagement with stakeholders including our charity partners
  • Support from skilled and motivated volunteers
  • Sound governance and strategy
  • Well supported & developed staff at The Childhood Trust
  • Good alignment with our charity partners
  • Government policy environment
  • Access to & engagement with the media