Hope and Homes for Children

15/06/2026

This week we're marking 25 years of Hope and Homes for Children's work in South Africa and reflecting on the changes we've been able to make working in collaboration with local partners, communities and young people.

When we arrived in 2001, there was no national picture of how many children were living in orphanages. Our first systematic assessment found 15,552 children in institutions and that 80% of them had a living family member. They weren't there because they were orphans. They were there because their families had been failed.

Over the next two decades, working alongside communities, social workers, and the Gauteng Department of Social Development, we built a model that keeps families together before separation happens and creates safe pathways home for children already in institutions. More than 8,600 families have stayed together as a result.

In November 2025, at South Africa's first National Care Reform Summit, the government made a historic commitment: to end institutional care of children by 2030.

It took 25 years of evidence, advocacy, and community action to reach this moment. The work now is making sure 2030 isn't just a date.

Read the full story: https://www.hopeandhomes.org/blog/children-in-orphanages-in-south-africa-25-years-of-change

We're proud to do this work alongside our colleagues at One Child One Family - Hope and Homes for Children SA

12/06/2026

Over the past three years, Onecom and its incredible employees have helped make a lasting difference for children around the world.

Through fundraising, awareness raising, challenge events, employee engagement, and advocacy, the Onecom team has stood alongside Hope and Homes for Children in our mission to ensure every child grows up in the love and protection of a family.

From Tough Mudder challenges and the Jack Jeffery Challenge Cup to office fundraising activities, awareness campaigns, and a firsthand programme visit to Moldova, their commitment has gone far beyond fundraising alone. Together, we’ve helped raise awareness that children belong in families, not orphanages.

To everyone at Onecom who has supported this partnership, thank you. Your passion, generosity, and dedication have helped bring us closer to a world where every child can grow up Back to Family.

If you would like to find out more about how partnering with us can make a real difference to children please visit https://www.hopeandhomes.org/get-involved/partner-with-us/

09/06/2026

🏃‍♂️ Run through the heart of London with Team Hope! 🏃‍♀️

Join us on Sunday 11 October 2026 for one of the UK’s most iconic half marathons. Take in the beauty of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park and Green Park while passing famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall.

Whether it’s your first half marathon or your next big challenge, this course is perfect for every runner.

✨ Registration fee: £30

🎯 Suggested fundraising target: £450

When you join Team Hope, you’ll receive:

👕 A Team Hope running t-shirt

💙 Dedicated fundraising and training support

🤝 A chance to connect with fellow runners

Every mile you run will help bring children back to family. Sign up today and run for something bigger.

https://www.hopeandhomes.org/get-involved/events-challenges/royal-parks-half-marathon/

Join Team Hope for this iconic half marathon.

09/06/2026

Hope and Homes CEO, Mark Waddington, is in Ukraine at the moment working to support our teams there. Here he shares how the nightly attacks are having profound effects on all the children there.

04/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week we're thanking all our volunteers for their commitment and hard work to help us get more children

We'd like to shine a light on Jean, Brenda, Marion, Pauline and Michael who are our amazing South Wales Group. Between them they've raised more than £170,000 since starting nearly 20 years ago 💛 From Burns Night celebrations to cake sales, their support helps us make a difference to more families around the world.

Thank you to all our brilliant volunteers who give their time, expertise and knowledge to help us.

03/06/2026

On Monday night, Ukraine suffered one of its heaviest bombardments by Russian forces killing at least 22 people including two children.

Our Chief Executive, Mark Waddington is in Ukraine supporting our colleagues on the ground. He spoke to from yesterday about the impact on children confined in institutions.

Thank you to John and Times Radio for helping raise awareness of this vital cause.

01/06/2026

Hope and Homes for Children has endorsed the Joint Statement: A Roadmap for Every Child - EU Alliance for Investing in Children reaction to the 2026 Social Package with focus on the Communication “Breaking the Cycle of Child Poverty – Strengthening the European Child Guarantee”.

We stress, that poverty must never be a reason for separating children from their families.

Stronger community-based services, integrated family support, parenting programmes, family-centred early childhood intervention, and accessible local services are necessary for communities to thrive, and to prevent unnecessary family separation and support children’s wellbeing.

https://www.hopeandhomes.org/publications/roadmap-for-every-child/

Hope and Homes for Children has endorsed the Joint Statement: A Roadmap for Every Child – EU Alliance for Investing in Children reaction to the 2026 Social Package with focus on the Communication “Breaking the Cycle of Child Poverty – Strengthening the European Child Guarantee”.

31/05/2026

This World Foster Day, we’re celebrating a huge milestone in Nepal.

Working alongside local partners, communities and government, we’ve helped launch the country’s first formal foster care system, creating a real alternative to orphanages for children separated from their families.

Already, 52 foster carers have been trained and the first children have been placed in loving foster families.

Because every child deserves the love, safety and belonging that comes from growing up in a family.

Read more here: https://www.hopeandhomes.org/blog/transforming-childhoods-launching-a-foster-programme-in-nepal/

Forget Me Not The Himalayan Innovative Society (THIS) Martin James Foundation

27/05/2026

Not long to go now!

Have you RSVP’d for our Celebration Day yet?

We’d love to welcome you for an afternoon of celebration, connection and updates on the impact you’re helping to create.

📅 4 June | 📍 Salisbury Rugby Club

🔗 RSVP now:

https://www.hopeandhomes.org/get-involved/events-challenges/celebration-day/

25/05/2026

On International Missing Children’s Day, we are reminded that behind every number is a child, a family, and a future that should never be lost.

In this moving blog from Hope and Homes for Children, we reflects on Ukraine’s stolen children crisis and the urgent need to protect children through family care, not institutions.

The piece highlights “Artem’s Room” by Bird of Light Ukraine — an installation recreating the bedroom of a missing teenager based on testimonies from abducted Ukrainian children. An ordinary room left painfully empty.

It’s also a reminder that children separated from family are often the most vulnerable in times of conflict.

Read the blog: https://www.hopeandhomes.org/blog/the-room-that-stayed-empty-international-missing-childrens-day/

Watch Artem’s Room here, courtesy of Bird of Light Ukraine: https://www.instagram.com/birdoflightukraine/?hl=en

On International Missing Children's Day, an art installation at the heart of European politics asks us to look at what we already know.