About Us
Kids Company was founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996. Our aim is to provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people.
Our services reach 14,000 children across London, including the most deprived and at risk whose parents are unable to care for them due to their own difficulties. For many, the roles of adult and child are reversed and, despite profound love, both struggle to survive.
Exceptionally vulnerable children not only negotiate significant challenges in their family homes, they also face immense threat within their neighbourhoods. Often they are exposed to relentless violence, some are forced into working as drug couriers or prostitutes, and many experience chronic abuse. Despite great difficulties, the children we work with are hugely courageous and embrace the support we offer.
We give them hope by providing a safe, caring, nurturing environment where support is tailored to the needs of each individual. Our aim is to empower children, who have experienced enormous challenges, to lead positive lives. We offer unrelenting love for every child, whatever it takes.
Our staff 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.
In 2007 Kids Company was awarded the Liberty and JUSTICE Human Rights Award.
The need for Kids Company
More than 95% of the children and young people we support come to us seeking 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:
- 95% improved their relationships
- 81% reintegrated into education, training or employment
- 86% engaged in work experience
- 90% reduced their involvement in criminal activity
- 94% reduced their level of substance misuse
- 89% moved away from crime.
Research by University of London, 2008
At Kids Company in 2008
- 12,000 children and young people accessed our services
- 5000 volunteers gave us their time, including 4292 corporate volunteers from 91 companies.
- 1800 children and young people with nowhere else to go came to our centre on Christmas day.
