Providing a lifeline for those in desperate need

4.3 million children are currently living in poverty in the UK. Poverty can impact every part of childhood and family life.

Action for Children is a charity driven by love – taking action so children don’t miss out on a safe and happy childhood. Providing hundreds of services in communities across the UK, in schools and online, they work on the frontline giving children and young people the protection and practical help they urgently need. And they campaign tirelessly for lasting change.

In this video Paul Carberry, Chief Executive for Action for Children talks about how the Nationwide Fairer Futures partnership will help.

Visit the Action for Children website (opens in a new window).

Show transcript
WEBVTT

00:04:22.760 --> 00:04:24.440
I’m Paul Carberry,

00:04:24.440 --> 00:04:27.760
Chief Executive at Action for Children.

00:04:27.760 --> 00:04:28.960
Since opening the door

00:04:28.960 --> 00:04:32.000
to our first children’s home in 1869,

00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:33.400
we have been helping children

00:04:33.400 --> 00:04:37.840
to have the safe and happy childhoods they deserve.

00:04:37.840 --> 00:04:40.240
In today’s world, life can be hard.

00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:41.480
For some families,

00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:43.840
it can almost be unbearable.

00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:46.560
Many do not know where their next meal is coming from,

00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:48.040
how to pay their bills

00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:50.560
or if they can afford to replace the clothes

00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:52.400
their children have outgrown.

00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:54.920
They feel they have nowhere to turn.

00:04:54.920 --> 00:04:57.920
It’s a position that no parent wants to be in.

00:04:57.920 --> 00:05:00.080
Thanks to Nationwide Fairer Futures,

00:05:00.080 --> 00:05:03.040
we aim to help over 100,000 children,

00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.400
young people and families.

00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:08.040
Our Family Fund will not only support families

00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:09.880
with the essentials they need,

00:05:09.880 --> 00:05:11.320
like food and bills,

00:05:11.320 --> 00:05:15.320
but also give them the memorable experiences to cherish.

00:05:15.320 --> 00:05:18.000
And our Family Clubs will be a safe space

00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:19.480
where families come together,

00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:20.600
share a meal,

00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:22.400
and get to know each other.

00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:25.320
It's a place where children can have fun.

00:05:25.320 --> 00:05:26.800
And if parents are struggling,

00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:29.520
our trained staff are on hand to help.

00:05:29.520 --> 00:05:32.000
Nationwide are helping Action for Children

00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:34.480
to tackle child poverty head on,

00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:36.800
and are helping families to thrive.

00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:40.520
And we couldn’t be prouder.

00:05:45.400 --> 00:05:45.440
For our third partnership,
“Action for Children took so much pressure off me... keeping the house warm for the kids when it was freezing last year, that really did take a huge amount of weight off my shoulders. I was able to make a really good Christmas dinner for the children.”

Natasha, supported by Action for Children


Funding Action for Children programmes

Nationwide Fairer Futures will help fund the vital support Action for Children provides to vulnerable families. Family Fund and Family Clubs ensures these families have the essentials to live, the opportunities to enrich lives and the support network they need.

Family Fund 

The Family Fund will ensure vulnerable families across the UK get immediate, flexible support with essentials like food, bills, clothing and appliances for their homes. And children will have access to activities and experiences that they would otherwise go without - a trip to the zoo, school trips, or a birthday cake.  

Simple memories every child deserves to make, instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from or how their family will pay the bills. 

Family Clubs ​

At Family Clubs, Action for Children will create welcoming, safe spaces in local communities where families can come to eat, get warm and feel comfortable, while also building supportive relationships with other families. It will provide the essential wrap-around support and the warm smile every family deserves.

In up to 30 locations across the UK, Family Clubs will give children activities to help grow their confidence and feel fulfilled. And parents will get expert, tailored support to help with financial hardship, mental health issues and isolation.  


Nationwide Fairer Futures and Action for Children - working together to make a difference

We’ve chosen Action for Children as our charity partner because 4.3 million children now live in poverty in the UK. That’s 30% of all children. It’s easy to think poverty happens elsewhere. But it’s affecting the child on the bus. In the park. Next door.

Our Nationwide Fairer Futures aim

100,000 children, young people and parents living in poverty or experiencing financial hardship will be given practical and emotional support. Our aim is to provide a lifeline for those in desperate need, enrich the lives of children and help families improve their situations. 


Nationwide Fairer Futures charity partners

Our charity partners also include Centrepoint and Dementia UK.

Working with our charity partners, we are helping to tackle some of the biggest issues we see in society today. We will make a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Centrepoint - tackling youth homelessness

Every 4 minutes, a young person faces homelessness.

Every young person deserves to have a safe place to call home where they can rebuild their life and move towards a better future.

Dementia UK - helping those with dementia

1 in 2 people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime.

Dementia UK is the specialist dementia nursing charity. Its specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, tailored advice and support to help families care for their loved one and ensure no one faces dementia alone.