Supporting children living in poverty

4.5 million UK children now live in poverty – that's 31% of all children. That’s the worst ever recorded. That’s why in 2024 we partnered with Action for Children.

They provide financial support and hundreds of crucial services in communities across the UK. They work tirelessly for children and their families giving them the protection and practical help they urgently need.

In this video Paul Carberry, Chief Executive for Action for Children, talks about how the Nationwide Fairer Futures partnership will help.

Visit the Action for Children website (opens in a new window).

Show transcript
[00:01]
Paul Carberry: I’m Paul Carberry,

[00:02]
Chief Executive at Action for Children.

[00:05]
Since opening the door

[00:06]
to our first children’s home in 1869,

[00:08]
we have been helping children

[00:11]
to have the safe and happy childhoods they deserve.

[00:16]
In today’s world, life can be hard.

[00:18]
For some families,

[00:19]
it can almost be unbearable.

[00:21]
Many do not know where their next meal is coming from,

[00:25]
how to pay their bills

[00:26]
or if they can afford to replace the clothes

[00:28]
their children have outgrown.

[00:30]
They feel they have nowhere to turn.

[00:33]
It’s a position that no parent wants to be in.

[00:36]
Thanks to Nationwide Fairer Futures,

[00:38]
we aim to help over 100,000 children,

[00:41]
young people and families.

[00:44]
Our Family Fund will not only support families

[00:46]
with the essentials they need,

[00:48]
like food and bills,

[00:49]
but also give them the memorable experiences to cherish.

[00:54]
And our Family Clubs will be a safe space

[00:56]
where families come together,

[00:57]
share a meal,

[00:59]
and get to know each other.

[01:00]
It's a place where children can have fun.

[01:03]
And if parents are struggling,

[01:05]
our trained staff are on hand to help.

[01:07]
Nationwide are helping Action for Children

[01:10]
to tackle child poverty head on,

[01:12]
and are helping families to thrive.

[01:15]
And we couldn’t be prouder.

How Fairer Futures has made a difference

Through our funding in year one:

  1. 36,833

    children and parents experiencing poverty and financial hardship received funding and support.

  2. £794,000

    in grants have helped families buy essentials like food and clothing.

  3. 88% of children

    that benefitted from the Enrichment Fund said they felt positive about the future.

Our aim is to provide 100,000 children, young people and parents living in poverty or experiencing financial hardship with practical and emotional support. We’ll provide a lifeline for those in desperate need, enrich the lives of children and help families improve their situations.

How Fairer Futures and Action for Children helped Dexter’s family

Action for Children provided vital support to Dexter’s family when the 7-year-old’s complex needs and challenging behaviour reached crisis point. They also received financial support for school uniform and supermarket vouchers. At Christmas, they were given tickets for a family trip to Legoland.

“The boys were so excited when I told them we had tickets to Legoland. They were just beaming. I will work evenings so we can stay overnight and make it a really special trip. We went from a sad, challenging place to being a happy family again. Jenny helped us work with Dexter and understand his needs better. She was a huge support for me.”

Angela, mum of Dexter aged 7. Supported by the Family Fund from Action for Children

Supporting Action for Children’s programmes and funds

Since 2024 Nationwide Fairer Futures has funded the Action for Children programmes Family Fund and Family Clubs. These programmes ensure families have the essentials to live, the opportunities to enrich their lives and the support network they need.

Family Fund 

The Family Fund gives families immediate, flexible support with essentials like food, bills, clothing and equipment for their homes.

The Crisis Fund

Provides financial support to families in urgent need with costs like food, bills and clothing.

The Enrichment Fund

Gives families the opportunities to have fun and new experiences, like a trip to the zoo, school trips or a birthday cake.

Family Clubs ​

Family Clubs will provide welcoming, safe spaces in local communities where families can come to eat, get warm, feel comfortable and get support with whatever they’re facing.

Parents get expert, tailored support to help with issues such as financial hardship, mental health issues and isolation.

Family Clubs have been launched in 28 locations across the UK, and give children activities to help grow their confidence and feel fulfilled.

Donate to Action for Children

Make a donation on the Action for Children website to support safe and happy childhoods.

Nationwide Fairer Futures charity partners

Our charity partners also include Centrepoint, Dementia UK and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Working with our charity partners, we are helping to tackle some of the biggest issues we see in society today. Together, we will make a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Centrepoint – tackling youth homelessness

Every 4 minutes, a young person faces homelessness. 

Young people deserve to have a safe place to call home where they can rebuild their lives and move towards a better future.

Dementia UK – supporting those with dementia

1 in 2 people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime.

Dementia UK is the specialist dementia nursing charity. Its specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, tailored advice and support to help families care for their loved one and ensure no one faces dementia alone.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – supporting people affected by cancer

1 in 2 of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime.

We want to support people affected by cancer in the best possible way. That's why we've partnered with The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity with the aim to achieve breakthroughs in cancer treatment.