Barnardo's

10/10/2026

Young people’s mental health is often surrounded by assumptions. What if we listened instead?

Young people have told us what isn’t working when they need mental health support, and what needs to change.

This , let’s listen, take young people seriously and act on what they tell us.

Real voices. Real change. 💚

09/10/2026

Every child deserves to feel happy, healthy and supported. 💚

But too many children and young people are struggling with their mental health and facing long waits for the help they need.

And the impact goes far beyond their mental health. It can affect their confidence, their friendships, their time at school and their future.

Our Chief Executive, Lynn Perry, said:
“The mental health of children and young people in this country is at crisis point.”

Today, we welcome the findings of an independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.

We're calling for earlier help, better support in local communities and an action plan from the government to make children's health a priority.

Because children shouldn't have to wait until they're in crisis to get the support they need.

💚 Read Lynn’s full statement and find out what we're calling for: https://brnw.ch/21x6hDw

08/10/2026

Every child and young person deserves to feel safe, supported and hopeful about their future. 💚

During this year’s party conference season, we highlighted some of our key calls for change, including a Child Health Action Plan, action to end misogyny, and comprehensive support to help young people enter the world of work.

Young people were at the heart of our presence at the conferences, sharing their experiences and priorities directly with decision-makers and speaking about the changes they want to see.

We were proud to stand alongside children and young people, amplify their voices and continue pushing for action that can create meaningful, lasting change.

05/10/2026

Fostering and adoption: what’s the difference?

They’re sometimes spoken about together, but fostering and adoption are different ways of providing a safe, secure and stable home for a child who cannot live with their birth family.

Barnardo’s has been helping children find loving homes for generations.

As far back as 1887, Dr Thomas Barnardo began placing children with families through what was known as “boarding out” – an early form of fostering. By 1905, more than 4,000 children had been boarded out, helping to pave the way for Barnardo’s fostering and adoption work in the years that followed.

Today, Barnardo’s continues to support children, foster carers and adopters across the UK. 💚

Whether through fostering or adoption, the aim is to give children the safety, stability, care and sense of belonging they need.

Swipe to understand some of the key differences or click here: https://brnw.ch/21x6aRT

01/10/2026

What do you remember about your childhood? The people who supported you, the opportunities you had, and the moments that shaped who you are today. 💚

By leaving a gift in your Will, you could help future generations of children and young people get the support they need to thrive.

Find out more: https://brnw.ch/21x667M

29/09/2026

From Australia to America, from Norway to Germany, more that 600 people from across the globe braved the heights of the iconic Forth Bridge to raise vital funds recently.

Despite high winds meaning many Saturday visits couldn't go ahead, together we've raised an incredible £50,000 for Barnardo's Scotland.

That means Your View has now raised £500,000 since 2017, helping support children, young people and families across Scotland.

Along the way, there were plenty of memorable moments, including welcoming back two participants in their 90s for their third Your View experience and even another surprise proposal.

A huge thank you to Network Rail, Balfour Beatty, the Briggers, our volunteers and everyone who took part in this year's event.

Here's to Your View 2027.

28/09/2026

Children can feel pressure to look, act or behave a certain way because of their gender.

For girls, that might mean feeling like they need to look a certain way. For boys, it could be pressure to be bigger, stronger or hide how they’re feeling.

These ideas can come from lots of places, including friends, peers and the content children see online.

If your child says something that worries you, starting with curiosity rather than judgement can help you understand what’s really going on underneath.

💚 Listen to how they’re feeling.
💚 Ask where the idea has come from.
💚 Help them question the expectation, rather than themselves.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Keeping the conversation open can help your child know they can come to you when something is bothering them.

Save this post for when you need it.

Find more advice for parents and carers at Barnardo’s: https://brnw.ch/21x60zr

25/09/2026

Every young person deserves the chance to build a future they can look forward to.

But for too many young people, getting started is harder than it should be.

For those living in poverty, struggling with their mental health, or who have spent time in foster care or a children’s home, taking that next step into education, training or work can be even harder.

Our new research found that 56% of young people surveyed had turned down, not applied for, or left a job, education or training opportunity because they couldn't afford the costs involved.

Nearly half (48%) said a lack of work experience was a barrier to finding work.

Behind these numbers are young people trying to find their way.
Young people want the independence, security and opportunities that work can bring. But they need the right support, at the right time, to get there.

Our new report listens to their experiences and sets out what needs to change so that no young person is left behind.

Read the report and our recommendations: https://brnw.ch/21x5XhJ

Nearly 1 million young people in the UK are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Our report highlights the barriers they face and sets out recommendations for the government to help them access opportunities.

22/09/2026

More than £395,000.

That’s how much we’ve has provided to families through our Child Poverty Fund in July and August alone.

Families have needed help with the basics - food, clothing, beds and household essentials.

But parents have also been asking for support so their children can enjoy the ordinary experiences of summer: a day out, a picnic in the park or a trip to the seaside.

More than 1,800 applications were approved over the two months, with an average grant of around £200.

“No parent should have to choose between paying for the essentials and giving their child the chance to enjoy their summer,” said Barnardo’s ambassador and EastEnders star Michelle Collins.

Read more about the families we’re supporting and what our latest analysis reveals: https://brnw.ch/21x5Rvf

17/09/2026

“The BFG by Roald Dahl reminds me a bit about care. The girl, Sophie, gets adopted in the end and is happy.” – Lilly-May, a young person supported by Barnardo's

For many care-experienced children, stories aren't just stories. They help them feel understood, represented and hopeful about the future.

That's why we asked children and young people supported by Barnardo's to share the books that reflect their experiences. Today, more children need foster carers who can provide the stability, support and sense of belonging they deserve.

Fostering can be challenging, but it could also be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do.

Could you help change a child's story? Find out more about fostering with Barnardo's: https://brnw.ch/21x5La9