Where we fund: United Kingdom
Royal National Children's Foundation
The Royal National Children’s Foundation (RNCF) works with other charities to fund a boarding school education for children where this is considered to be the best solution for them and where no other suitable care is available. By placing these children in a boarding school, RNCF can give them a high level of stability and care while maintaining family bonds. It can also reduce the pressure within the family, thereby improving the quality of life of everyone involved.
SHINE
SHINE is a grant-making trust which funds and develops additional educational initiatives that encourage children and young people to raise their academic attainment. It supports organisations working with underachieving 6-18 year olds from disadvantaged areas in London and Manchester.
Springboard
Springboard is an education charity working in primary schools serving disadvantaged communities in London and Manchester. With projects in two schools in Manchester and 10 in London, Springboard supports more than 300 children every year.
Chance UK
Chance UK works in partnership with other organisations (such as Action for Children) to provide mentoring in cities across the UK. This has proved an effective and cost-effective method of expansion, to the extent that the “Top 200” group of senior civil servants has since identified this approach as a model for replication. Furthermore, in 2004 Chance UK was one of only eight organisations in the UK to be named a Gold Star mentoring programme by the Home Office as an exemplar of good practice in mentoring and befriending.
Kids Company
Kids Company was founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996. Besides its work in schools, it provides practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable London children and young people through two other programmes: The Arches II, a children’s centre in Lambeth, and The Urban Academy: a post 16 educational and life skills academy in south east London.
School Home Support
Established in 1984, School Home Support places highly trained practitioners into schools to provide a link between school, child and family. By engaging parents and carers to actively support their child and their school, SHS practitioners aim to maximise children’s educational opportunities and deal with any problems – for example, truancy or bullying – at a very early stage.
Community Links
Established in 1977, Community Links runs community-based projects in east London, chiefly in the borough of Newham. In total, it has more than 60 projects in 30 locations, reaching 30,000 people every year. These include early years provision, after-school clubs and specialist schemes for children with special needs or those excluded from school. For adults, its work includes advice Centres and employment support services.
Venture Trust
Wilderness-based personal development training for young people leaving care.
Dance United
A dance based programme to engage disaffected, challenging teenagers.
My Voice London
Providing mentors to help vulnerable young people re-engage with their education.
Social Mobility Foundation
Helping very bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access the professions.
IntoUniversity
Academic and pastoral support to help disadvantaged children go to university