Action for Children

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our friends at Dell Technologies - who continue to go above and beyond in support of Action for Children. Thanks to Dell, we can help more families access essential technology. In the first half of this year, the Dell Inspire IT programme has bridged the digital divide for 3,270 children and young people, equipping them with valuable digital skills and qualifications to advance their education and development. Additionally, their teams across the UK have: Completed our inaugural Early Careers Charity Challenge 🏅 Volunteered at our Glasgow Stoneside Short Breaks service 🏠 Participated in the 2024 London Marathon and Great North Run 🏃 Organized four golf days at some of the country's most beautiful courses ⛳ Braved the elements in London and Glasgow for Boycott Your Bed 2024 🛏️ Reflecting on Boycott Your Bed in Glasgow, Bridie Kehoe from Dell said: “Though it was just one night, it has opened my eyes to the realities faced by so many and I am more motivated than ever to raise funds and awareness for those in need. One night of sleeping out was just a glimpse into a much larger issue, and I left with a renewed sense of purpose to advocate for change”. Thank you Dell Technologies, for helping us to give children safe, happy childhoods and opportunities to thrive. #InspireIT #PowerThePossible

We want to give a big shout out to two of the stars of our Starry Night Gala 🤩 Harry (15) & Makenzie (14) are both pupils from our Headlands School service in Wales. Headlands is an independent day and residential special school, which offers opportunities to students who may have experienced difficulties in life. Harry & Makenzie are both interested in careers as a DJ or radio host. Our team saw an opportunity to match them up with Tom Price and Kat Shoob from Magic FM to take part in a DJ set on the night of our Gala! The boys met Kat & Tom the day before the Gala at Gramercy Park Studios in London, where the four of them had the chance to get ready for their big performance. With over 200 people in the audience, Harry & Makenzie put their skills to work and got everyone on the dance floor with a selection of great music! We want to give a massive thank you to Harry & Makenzie for giving us an unforgettable DJ set, and to Kat & Tom for being the most amazing role models to the boys ❤️ #StarryNightGala #ActionForChildren

Sadly this time of year can be harder for Young Carers. Being at school usually offers them respite - time to just be a child and play with friends. The school holidays can take this joy away and leave them feeling lonely. Research by Action for Children and Carers Trust found that eight out of ten young carers feel lonely during holidays. Read our blog to find out why young carers need support and how you can help them have the magical Christmas they deserve: https://bit.ly/4eOWX7q #CarersRightsDay #YoungCarers

We welcome the government's plans to overhaul the children's social care system in England. However, urgent investment is needed to make sure every child gets the high-quality home they deserve. Swipe for our full reaction from Action for children CEO Paul Carberry 👉

Such an exciting competition - we can’t wait to hear the entries! And we’re thrilled that the winner’s cover single will raise funds for the Building Happier Futures programme.   We’ve been working alongside the John Lewis Partnership in their work to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of the care experienced community, since #BuildingHappierFutures launched with the 2022 John Lewis Christmas ad.   Enter your cover over on Tiktok for your chance to professionally record your rendition in time for Christmas!   #MySonnet

Looking for a present for a loved one? Choose a gift that supports a vulnerable child ❤️ The season of giving is here 🎄 but some children in the UK face a Christmas without any toys, treats, or Christmas dinner. You can help us change this. Find out how you can choose a gift that helps put the magic back into Christmas for a vulnerable child: https://bit.ly/3CklR17 #SecretSanta #GiftIdeas #GiftGuide #GivingSeason #Santa

We want to give an enormous thank you to the amazing Lori! Throughout October, Lori ran 5k every day in support of vulnerable children, young people and families. So far, she has raised an incredible £2,000 and counting ❤️ With Christmas round the corner, we need people like Lori to be a Secret Santa. £25 could provide a Christmas present for a vulnerable child. Or £65 could provide warm winter clothes and bedding. Choose a gift on behalf of a colleague. Choose a gift that gives back and help support a vulnerable child: https://bit.ly/3UGyIRk

"He’s been able to make new friends with people who understand what it’s like to be a young carer. It helped Sam to feel seen and heard.” Sam* is a young carer for his brothers, who are autistic, as well as his mum Sandra, who has epilepsy. At just ten years old, life is anything but typical for a child his age. For Sam and his family, Christmas is their favourite time of year 🎄 But the financial pressure meant they couldn't afford it. Sandra said: "We had no money or vision for Christmas. The kids had their ideas of what they wanted and were excited about, but it brought me dread." Luckily, Action for Children helped ease the strain. We provided the family supermarket vouchers, as well as a day out for Sam to give him a break from his caring responsibilities ❤️ Childhood is short. Be a Secret Santa today and help put the magic back into Christmas for a vulnerable child like Sam: https://bit.ly/4f86HKO *Name changed to protect identity. #SecretSanta

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 🎄🎅 November is here, and our TV advert is back on the big screen 📺 We see children without beds, sleeping on floors with just blankets. Families phoning us crying because they have no money to feed their children. But we also see the incredible difference you could make. You could give a vulnerable child the essentials of warm clothes, a hot meal, or a special present just for them. Children across the UK need a Secret Santa like you. Donate now: https://bit.ly/4fwZDHv #SecretSanta #ActionForChildren

Homelessness, kidnap and murder. That's the reality for many criminally exploited children in the UK. Action For Children's new report “I don’t want to go down that road” shows the shocking harms inflicted on these children. Paul Carberry, our CEO, said: "We can and must do better at identifying and safeguarding children from criminal exploitation, but no one agency can tackle this problem alone. With commitment to real change, we could significantly improve the wellbeing and safety of children across the UK ". Our frontline services are working tirelessly to improve the lives of vulnerable children and young people affected by these harrowing crimes. Our Criminal Exploitation Intervention service launched in Glasgow in 2012. It now operates across the UK and has helped over 500 children and families since 2020. But there is still a long way to go. Our research outlines the vital steps that must be taken to ensure criminally exploited children are safeguarded effectively. Read the full report and recommendations: https://bit.ly/4hrlwd0