Charities of the Year 2008-2009

Coram

Coram has been working with disadvantaged children since 1739 when Thomas Coram established the Foundling Hospital, to care for abandoned babies dying on the streets of London.

Over 250 years later, the streets of London are still as dangerous for many children, all too many of whom are growing up without the support of a loving home. Coram transforms the lives of children and young people, helping them to find stability and lead rich independent lives by providing practical help and support.

Coram is one of England's more remarkable organisations. It is not only one of the country's oldest charitable institutions, but is also believed to have been the first to specifically cater to the needs of children. It is a unique combination of ground–breaking modern services based on a rich artistic and musical heritage, with Handel and Hogarth as two of the original Governors.

Over the last year, Coram has worked with vulnerable children, young people and their families in London and beyond. This work takes many forms, but all our services focus on building self-esteem and emotional well being, preparing our children for a fulfilling adult life.

For more information visit Coram

Kids Company

Kids Company is a charity founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996 in order to provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people.

Most of children who seek our help suffer from emotional and behavioural difficulties resulting from significant experiences of trauma and neglect. Many are ‘lone children’ living in chronic deprivation, with limited or no support from the adults in their family.
Kids Company operates through two street level centres in south London, as well as offering therapeutic and social work services in over 30 schools.

Kids Company aim to provide an environment where relationships of empathy and attachment can be fostered between children and trusted adults. The support is tailored to the needs of each individual child. No matter how disturbed a child is, they will never be turned away. Kids Company are constantly inspired by the courage and dignity expressed by vulnerable children in the face of overwhelming challenges, and in everything we do the child is put first.

Kids Company was awarded the Liberty and Justice Human Rights Award, 2007.

The need for Kids Company

More than 95% of the children and young people that Kids Company support seek help, or are referred by their peers; 97% say that Kids Company is effective. Research shows that young people coming to Kids Company face the following difficulties:

84% - homelessness - a deeply traumatic and destabilizing experience.
82% - substance misuse - this is often a reaction to emotional distress and can indicate a child’s vulnerability to being drawn into the criminal world of drug dealing and taking.
81% - criminal involvement, often to feed and clothe younger siblings.
83% - sustained, complex trauma during childhood.
87% - emotional difficulties and mental health problems.
39% - young carers struggling to cope.

Kids’ achievements

The University of London’s 2008 study found that Kids Company had helped:

81% of young people to reintegrate into education, training or employment
94% to reduce substance misuse
89% of young people to move away from a life of crime. Many young people supported by Kids Company have gone on to access further education at university, and they continue to be supported and encouraged through their study.

At Kids Company in 2007

12,000 children and young people accessed Kids Company services
2971 volunteers give their time, including 2121 corporate volunteers from 56 companies and 850 individuals
1273 young people with nowhere else to go came to the Kids Company centre on Christmas day.

For more information visit Kids Company