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.

  • 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, Mentoring & Advocacy

Survivors Of aBuse (SoB)

Survivors Of aBuse is a survivor-led charity supporting adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect, helping them move from surviving towards greater safety, confidence, wellbeing and choice. Founded by survivor, author and campaigner Chris Tuck, it combines lived experience with professional knowledge, offering practical tools, education, peer support and connection. Its signature Breaking The Cycle programme is an eight-week, trauma-informed course covering mindset, lifestyle, nutrition, exercise and rest. Ambassador Beverley Ann, a care leaver now working in residential care, bridges the needs of children growing up in care and the long-term impact childhood experiences can have. That crossover makes SoB a natural partner in building joined-up support that continues beyond age 18.

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  • Health & Wellbeing

Help Counselling

Help Counselling makes professional therapy available without the usual barriers: no waiting lists, no GP referral, no cap on sessions. For over 50 years this registered charity has been a sanctuary for adults facing anxiety, depression, grief and relationship challenges. Its approach suits care leavers especially well, offering consistent, long-term support that does not age out or disappear. Clients self-refer to open-ended weekly sessions with ethically minded, BACP-registered therapists, many multilingual and experienced with neurodivergence and gender and sexuality. Sessions run Monday to Saturday, online or across central and west London, with fees from £30 and a £20 student rate.

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  • Education

Joseph Chamberlain College

Joseph Chamberlain College is an award-winning sixth form college in Birmingham and the only one in Birmingham and Solihull rated Outstanding by Ofsted, an achievement earned twice in six years. Its mission is an exceptional education for all. Around 2,500 school leavers join each year, choosing from an extensive suite of A-Levels and vocational courses, with clear pathways at every level from GCSEs to ESOL so students of all backgrounds and starting points can progress. Graded Outstanding in every category, the College combines high achievement and strong progression to higher education and employment with a warm, inclusive and diverse community.

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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.

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