For every £1 we spend, 84p helps children and families
The cost of living crisis is hurting too many children – leaving them extremely vulnerable. In 2024/25, 4 million UK children didn’t have the basics – the essential things that every child should have – like cooked meals, winter clothes and a warm home. It’s shocking.
At Action for Children we see children who are struggling every day. But we also see the difference you can make.
Right now, children are suffering, and families are frightened of what's next to come, and so am I.
Courtney, Action for Children Family Support Practitioner
Last year, people like you helped us reach 551,400 children, young people and families in the UK. Children and families that were at breaking point with nowhere to turn. We were there for them when they needed us most. And that’s because of the incredible generosity of people like you.
You could be a vital lifeline for vulnerable children in the UK. Your support could help stop children going hungry. Your gift could help make sure children have the essentials. You could help keep children warm.
For every £1 we spend, 84p helps children and families
More about our work
What does Action for Children do?
We protect and support children and young people. We do this by providing practical and emotional care and support. We make sure their voices are heard. And we campaign to bring lasting improvements to their lives.
Today, we run 342 services in local communities across the UK, in schools and online.
In our nurseries and children's centres, staff make sure children get the best start in life. Our foster, adoptive and modern residential services find children and young people safe and loving homes.
We step in to protect children from neglect and abuse and help those who care for others or are at risk of homelessness. Innovative projects like The Blues Programme give young people the help they need to look after their mental health.
We're also here for parents, through projects like Parent Talk, our online support service.
Where your money goes
Your donations help us to support vulnerable children, young people and their families in the UK.
84p of every £1* we spend goes directly towards helping children, young people and their families. Your support is so important right now because levels of financial hardship, abuse and neglect have been rising. We’ve seen a huge surge in demand for our services. Your donations help us to run these essential services, which give vulnerable children and families a vital lifeline.
We make sure that every penny you donate goes where it will have the greatest impact on children’s lives.
Most of the donations we receive from our campaigns are unrestricted. This means they’re not spent on one project or one specific area of the UK, but where the need is greatest. We wouldn’t be able to operate as a charity without this type of income. Unrestricted funds help us reach the children and young people who need us most. Funds raised from this appeal will be unrestricted and used by Action for Children for its general charitable purposes. Please see the Our Work and Impact for examples of the work we do to help children and young people and their families.
* Figure based on audited 2021/22 charity accounts that exclude subsidiary companies like commercial nurseries.
Why regular donations matter
Donating a small amount every month by direct debit helps us give vulnerable children the stability they need. Our regular supporters help us carry out long-term work and keep vital projects running.
