We know that many of you are worried about the future – which isn’t how it should be. That’s why all of us at Barnardo’s are determined to change the way the system works for you and countless children, young people and families across the UK.
This means calling for changes to the law, policy, or practice that will improve children’s lives and the systems around them.
We listen to the views of the children and young people we support, as well as the insights from our frontline services. We then make recommendations to the Government and other policymakers about how they can change children’s lives for the better. But we can't do this alone.
You can make a difference. Get involved with our campaigns.
Let's make it easier for young people leaving care to find a place to call home
Young people leaving care deserve fair access to accommodation. They often face discrimination from landlords and, when someone is willing to rent to them, have difficulties because they don’t have a parent who can lend them a deposit or act as a guarantor. Right now there is an opportunity to help fix this situation.
More than one in four children in the UK are living in poverty
Over the winter, our frontline staff are helping children and families by providing them with emergency support such as beds, access to food, and support with their mental wellbeing. With your support, we can continue our work helping families in poverty.
Help children feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful
There are so many ways you can give young people a helping hand. Signing petitions, getting involved in campaigns, donating or just staying in the know about what it’s like to be growing up today. And we’ve made it easy, by putting it all in our monthly community newsletter.
Changing things for the better
Imagine trying to focus on learning when your stomach keeps rumbling
Actress Michelle Collins and Jake and Dasha who have worked with Barnardo's, helped us hand in a 32,000 strong petition calling for free school meals for all primary school children in England.
What’s the difference between feeling isolated and feeling free?
For a young person who has experienced care it’s being able to ride the bus. Our petition for free bus travel for them helped secure a debate in parliament and a visit by Transport Minister Richard Holden to find out more about our pilot scheme in Cornwall. It’s also been successful in persuading councils such as Cornwall and Birmingham to introduce their own local schemes. Next stop the whole of England!
Online pornography
Viewing pornography and other pornographic content can have a big impact on young people and children. From their understanding of sex and relationships, to the way they think about their own bodies, it can negatively influence how they view the world around them. We estimate that children in the UK could access pornography over 50 million times in the next three years. We sent a letter to adult content organisation MindGeek calling for them to do more to keep children safe from harmful pornography.
Find out more
Better childhoods start with better policies
We call for improvements to the law, policy, or practice that will help change young people’s lives (and the systems that shape them) for the better.
Our blog
If you want some advice on supporting a young person, or you want to know what our experts think about the issues affecting children today and how things can change for the better, our blog is a good place to start.
Your donation could change a young person’s life
Donate today, or set up a regular donation to help support us continue our important work.