Working together for children in care
We're delighted to be partnering with the John Lewis Partnership to support the company’s long-term commitment to young people across the UK who are in care and have care experience
Action for Children has a long history of supporting children in care. We opened our first children’s home in 1869 to protect and support children living on the streets of London.
Since then, supporting children in care and young people with care experience has been at the heart of our vision – that every child across the UK has a safe and happy childhood and the foundations they need to thrive.
With the John Lewis Partnership’s support, we’re growing our expert services to help more children and young people in care and those with care experience.
We were thrilled to work with the John Lewis Partnership on its iconic Christmas advert in 2022.
Many care experienced children and young people often feel isolated and forgotten all year round, but particularly at Christmas. By shining a light on one of their stories, the advert signalled our long-term comittment to helping Care Experienced people together.
This Christmas, help children in care by purchasing a range of items from John Lewis Partnership.
From mid-November, look out for Giving Trees in Waitrose stores. Take a tag (with a value ranging from £2 to £25) and add it to your shop. Virtual tags are available now to your Waitrose online basket.
Waitrose will be donating £100,000 from sales of it's Christmas Chocolate Yule Log, and in John Lewis, cuddly Lewis Bears will be on sale with all donations split between Action for Children (50%), Home-Start UK (30%) and Who Cares? Scotland (20%).
Rhys is an inspiring teen who went into care at 10. Rhys's childhood hasn’t been the easiest, but since joining one of our family-style homes he's flourishing
We recently celebrated the first anniversary of the Building Happier Futures programme.
As part of their continuing support for the programme, a new tote bag designed by 18-year-old Michael Archibald, a Care Experienced student, launched in January 2024 to inspire young people in the care system and to raise funds for Building Happier Futures.
Michael’s bag is the first item in a range of items which will be available in John Lewis and Waitrose shops and online.
Further products will launch throughout 2024 and beyond as part of this range.
By working together, we can reach more care experienced young people in the UK. Together we are:
- We're providing support to give foster placements more stability
- We're developing a new employability support service in collaboration with care experienced young people
- And we're helping young people transition from care to independent living.
Lucy * is a Transition Worker for Action for Children who supports young people in residential care. Lucy said:
“I worked with Paul* as he prepared for life beyond residential care. It was a really big step for him because he didn’t feel quite ready to leave care and felt anxious about living independently. We worked really closely over six months. Over this time, I saw his confidence grow and his worries lessen as we gave him the practical and emotional support he needed as he transitioned from residential care.
"If this type of support wasn’t in place, he would have become extremely socially isolated, with no one to turn to. By giving him these tools, we helped to set him up for a successful future.
*Names changed to protect anonymity
Families need help before they’re in crisis.
Action for Children has also joined the John Lewis Partnership Building Happier Futures Advisory Group. By doing so, we can help start a national conversation on improving the lives of those in care and the life chances of those transitioning from care into adulthood and work.
We contribute our passion and expertise to ensure that, collectively, we have the biggest impact for children and young people with care experience.
Interested in giving children a safe and loving home?
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