Non-profits - Barnardos

The work to me is everything, and I would throw every rule overboard and send them to the bottom of the sea tomorrow if I felt there was a more excellent way.
Thomas John Barnardo

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Thomas John Barnardo was born in Ireland in 1845. Growing up, he believed that everything that wasn’t his should belong to him! But the older he became, he became more and more passionate about helping the poor and disadvantaged in society.

In the 1860s, Barnardo opened a school in East London with the aim of educating and caring for children who had sadly lost their parents and become destitute as part of the aftermath of the cholera outbreak. In 1870, he set up an orphanage for boys, and later on, another one for girls.

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By the time of his death in 1905, the homes he created had cared for more than 8,500 children in 96 places around the UK. In the years to come, his work was carried forward by supporters. The organisation’s name was shortened to Barnardo’s in 1989. During the 20’th century, the focus of the charity shifted from caring directly for children in homes, to fostering and adoption. ​

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Today, Barnardo’s is run by chief executive Javed Khan. The charity operates projects across the country. They support young people and children, as well as families who have experienced abuse in its many forms.

​Right now, it is the largest provider of support for children who are and have been exploited and abused. Barnardo’s also supports children who face many kinds of problems and challenges, as well as working with disadvantaged families. Helping children early on allows them to tackle wider issues before they take root.

In 2016/17, Barnardo’s supported around 2,72000 vulnerable children, youth, and young carers.

Charity shops, donations, volunteering and fundraising are just a few of the ways we can get involved with the fantastic work Barnardo’s are doing. They are also running a campaign that raises awareness with the public of the benefits of fostering a child in need, providing extensive information about what it involves.

To read about more of the amazing campaigns run by Barnardo’s, as well as ways you can get involved, check out their website:
www.barnardos.org.uk

Since it was founded back in the 1860s, Barnardo’s has changed the lives of many thousands of children and young people. What a legacy! Having changed and evolved over the decades, this amazing charity is still going strong!