Children at risk on the streets

Every year 100,000 children under the age of 16 run away from home in the UK. They run for different reasons but when on the streets many are so desperate that they resort to begging, stealing or prostitution to survive.

While on the streets, many children have nowhere safe to go. Yet there are only 9 refuge beds in the entire country - that's less than one bed for every 10,000 children.

We meet these children at their point of greatest need, exploring and understanding why they have run away, and helping them find solutions to the problems they face. And we campaign for the Government and local authorities to provide services and safe places for runaways.

Putting your money to work

Your donation ensures that our network of children's services can continue to help tens of thousands of children and their families each year. 82p from every £1 you give goes directly to fund everything from our direct action delivered through a national network of childrens services, through to our pioneering research programmes and influential nationwide campaigns.

You can change their lives

Your donation helps our project workers provide runaway children facing real dangers on the street with the most basic of needs - food, shelter, understanding, protection and hope. With your help, we can reach these children before it’s too late. Make a real difference to the lives of thousands of children – donate now.

Changing lives

Shelly

Shelly

"I hated it at home - mum and my stepdad were always shouting at me.

The first time I ran away I was 14. I slept on a park bench. It was freezing and I was scared. A few weeks later I ran away again. I got into shoplifting and I was cutting myself as well."

Ali

Ali

"When I was six I lost all my family in my country's civil war. When I managed to escape to England The Children’s Society was there for me. The Children's Society has always been there for me and I don't know what I would have done without them."

Our Campaign

100,000 children aged under 16 run away from home or care each year in the UK. We want the Government to pay for safe places for runaway children to stay to escape from the violence or abuse they may face on the streets.

 

© The Children's Society 2006 All Rights Reserved | Reg Charity No. 221124 | Supporter Action line: 0845 300 1128