Rebuilding what the system broke

It’s every child’s birthright to grow up in a loving, secure home.

Every child deserves to belong, to feel valued and to have their voice heard. No child should feel abandoned or neglected.

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Registered charity in England & Wales

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No. 1207064

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Founded by Fatima Whitbread MBE

The people behind it

Who's behind the campaign

Together we are creating a care system where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.

Fatima spent the first 14 years of her life in the care system before being fostered and adopted by her coach, Margaret Whitbread. She went on to break the world javelin record and win World and European titles. Drawing on her lived experience, she founded Fatima's UK Campaign to champion the nurturing support, stability and opportunities every child in care deserves, helping them build a brighter future.

Gina brings more than four decades of experience, including over 20 years leading an award-winning school and since 2005 developing leaders at every level. She empowers individuals, teams, and organisations to lead with integrity, compassion, and courage.

Together, they're working to change how the system treats every child who passes through it.

More about us

Why we exist

For too long, the UK care system has failed too many children and young people.

Many leave care without the support, stability or hope they need to build a secure future. They face homelessness, mental health crises and unemployment, often because the people and services around them fell short when they needed them most. Every young person deserves the chance to feel safe, supported and hopeful about what lies ahead.

This is not an easy challenge to solve, but young people cannot wait. Lived experience has shown us what that costs. Fatima's UK Campaign is bringing people together to turn that experience into practical action and better opportunities for children in care and care leavers.

“No more excuses. No more waiting. Young people need action now. Together, let’s change the story for those growing up in care.”

The scale of the challenge

0 K+

children in the UK care system today

1 in 3

care leavers face homelessness within two years

0 %

of care leavers are not in education, work or training

0 %

of children in care for over 12 months achieve a grade 4+ in English and maths at GCSE

Better Futures, Built Together

Our Action Hubs bring communities, carers, employers and decision-makers together to create real opportunities for young people.

  • Health & Wellbeing, Mentoring & Advocacy

Summit

Summit is one of Essex’s longest-standing mental health charities, founded in 1976 as Tendring Mental Health Support in Clacton-on-Sea. As advocacy became a profession through the 1980s and 1990s, Summit trained in legislation and human rights and played a key role in helping people leave long-stay hospitals and be heard in decisions about their care. Renamed SUMMIT in 2017, its mission is to advocate for empowerment and support independence. It restores control, confidence and self-belief, helping vulnerable people find their voice, stand up for their rights and shape their own futures through compassionate, face-to-face support and genuine partnership.

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  • Sport & Activity

The Personal Best Foundation

The Personal Best Foundation is the official charity of England Athletics, changing the lives of children and young people through the power of athletics. Founded in 2022, it works with community partners across the UK to break down the barriers of poverty, inequality and social exclusion that keep young people out of sport. Its athletics-based programmes improve physical health, mental wellbeing, confidence and social connection, in safe and inspiring environments. The Foundation believes every child has a personal best and deserves the chance to reach it, whatever their background, and is proud to partner with Fatima’s UK Campaign as part of the Action Hubs.

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  • Health & Wellbeing, Sport & Activity

HeadGuard

HeadGuard is a UK Community Interest Company that uses boxing as a tool for empowerment, emotional regulation and personal development, working with people who have experienced adversity, trauma and disadvantage. Founded by former professional boxer Cathy Brown, it puts the person first. Its non-contact, trauma-aware sessions are not about fighting: they teach safe technique and controlled movement, creating a powerful outlet for stress and anxiety and building confidence, identity and practical coping skills. Delivered in the UK and internationally, including with young women and girls in safe houses, HeadGuard creates safe spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and feel more in control.

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  • Education, Financial Capability

WizeUp Financial Education

WizeUp gives young people the money skills school never taught them. Established in 2011 and a registered charity since 2020, it was founded by Ed Flack after his own children struggled with money on leaving school, and is now led by his son Michael. WizeUp delivers funded, face-to-face workshops in schools, colleges, PRUs and SEND settings, covering budgeting, saving, tax and payslips, credit scores, student loans, apprenticeships and how to avoid scams. Every session turns complex finance into practical, everyday confidence, so no young person is pushed towards debt or exclusion for want of knowing better.

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View all our hubs

One Voice Summit

Shaping Solutions Together

Delegates, contributors and exhibitors came together to share their experiences, look ahead and find practical solutions to improve outcomes for children and young people in care.

The Summit focused on what needs to happen next, and how we can make it happen together. Explore the sessions and read the draft white paper to see the ideas and solutions that came out of it.

Watch the sessions

News

What we're working on

All news

Join us in creating a care system which works for every child.

Join the partnership and help us deliver what every child and young person deserves: A loving, caring and secure home.

Donate now

Learn our story