Our Vision

The Childhood Trust is London's child poverty charity, founded with a simple vision: to support vulnerable children living in poverty in London.

Our work is focused on helping children living in poverty to overcome the many disadvantages caused by poverty. London children are much more likely to live in poor households than children in the rest of England - 37% versus 26% and are less likely to be able to afford everyday items than those elsewhere in the country. 55% of poor children in London are materially deprived compared to 44% in the rest of England. 60% of London children in low income families do not have a week's holiday away from home (londonspovertyprofile.org, 2017)

Child poverty in London is about more than income, for many children poverty can mean uncertainty, stress, hunger, loneliness, boredom, poor health and a lack of opportunities. The most disadvantaged children fall at least two years behind their peers when they come to sit their GCSE's.

We work across three thematic areas, meeting children's Practical, Emotional and Inspirational needs. Support from local grassroots organisations across these themes promotes well being and resilience, strengthening vulnerable children's capacity to learn. Education provides one of the strongest routes out of poverty and our support provides disadvantaged children with stability, companionship and trust, helping to raise aspirations, creating hope and narrowing the gap in educational attainment and life chances.

Watch our short film that highlights the impact of our work;

Who we are

08 Feb 2019 — 05 May 2019 at The Foundling Museum

We present a new photographic exhibition documenting the living conditions of London’s most disadvantaged children.

In partnership with The Foundling Museum, Bedrooms of London presents a new body of work by photographer Katie Wilson highlighting the damaging consequences for children arising from the shortage of social housing in London. Focusing on the spaces in which children are sleeping, the photographs are shown alongside first-hand narratives from families collected and written by Isabella Walker, and offer a poignant insight into the lives and experiences of children living in poverty across London.

In a city where extreme poverty and wealth exist side-by-side, Bedrooms of London makes visible the often shocking and unseen reality of home life for the 700,000 children currently living below the poverty line in our capital, and challenges the prejudices and stereotypes associated with child poverty. Shown in the context of the Foundling Museum, the exhibition builds on the story of the Foundling Hospital, highlighting the situation today for some of London’s most vulnerable children.

The Childhood Trust was supported in producing this project by award-winning social change communications firm GOOD Agency. The exhibition has been created in partnership with the Foundling Museum.

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge who visited the exhibition on 19th March was moved to see the plight of children living in such appalling conditions.

(photo: Dan Weill 2019)

Read or download our report "The Context to London's Housing Crisis and its impact on children here:

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