about us

We are one of the UK’s most experienced children’s charities.

We have been working with marginalised and disadvantaged children and young people for over 140 years now. We were founded in 1867 when Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon responded to the desperate plight of children living on the streets of London and opened an orphanage in Stockwell, London.

Our work has changed considerably since those early days, evolving into long-term strategic partnerships with local authorities, churches and other supporters to provide a wide variety of vital services for children and young people. Today you will find us at the heart of communities - listening, learning and building trust to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people.

what do we do?

We want positive lasting change for children and young people. Currently we have almost 100 services operating across England and via our 3 regions. Our work is broadly split into the following services:

• Supporting young carers
• Supporting young people and communities
• Supporting families
• Supporting parents
• Supporting children separated from their parents
• Supporting children following bereavement
• Supporting troubled children
• Supporting children at risk of exclusion and offending
• Supporting the really young!