A more positive future for London’s children

WHEN Thomas John Barnardo came to London from Dublin to train as a doctor in 1866, he found a capital of two different worlds: the privileged elite of Victorian society living alongside children and families in terrible conditions.

Poverty and disease were so widespread that one in five children died before their fifth birthday. When a cholera epidemic swept through the East End, leaving 3,000 people dead and many orphaned children, Thomas Barnardo felt an urgent need to help.

He believed that every child deserved the best possible start in life, whatever their background.

Last year Barnardo’s supported over 30,200 children, young people, parents and carers across all of our services in London. With a presence in every part of the capital our work has grown in complexity and breadth since the days of Thomas Barnardo. In London we now support children and young people with services to improve their wellbeing; provide safe spaces for families to access early years help, and support young people affected by domestic violence.

Bringing children and young people up in the capital can be hard. If your family has suffered trauma and are vulnerable in any way it’s even harder. That’s why Barnardo’s London is here; to support the most vulnerable children and young people and their families to reach their potential.

We hope you can support us in our journey in 2020. Lynn Gradwell

Director for Barnardo’s, London