Children 1st is Scotland’s National Children’s Charity. Some children have little to smile about and this charity is determined to give them new reasons to.

Children 1st help Scotland’s families put children first, with practical advice and support in difficult times. And when the worst happens, the charity supports survivors of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic events in childhood, to recover.

They help Scotland’s communities play their part in looking-out for and protecting children. And they listen to Scotland’s children and families. When government or society fails to hear them or respect their rights, Children 1st speaks out.

Did you know...

  • 90p in every £1 goes directly to Scotland’s children and families.
  • 9 out of 10 children supported feel emotionally stronger and more able to cope with getting on with their lives after Children 1st has helped them
  • So long as it is safe for the child, Children 1st works with the child's family network too. Research shows the life chances for a child are better if they can avoid going into care. 83 percent of the mums, dads and carers they've supported feel more confident in parenting after time with Children 1st.
  • A residential care home for a child costs £126,000 a year compared to the charity's average cost of supporting a child, which is £530.

What makes Children 1st different?

Children 1st occupies a unique space in Scottish child welfare. The charity works in communities to support children at risk of abuse and neglect. They've been making a difference for over 130 years, first as the RSSPCC and now as Children 1st, so they have unrivalled experience and understanding of the problems affecting children, their families and how to help them.

But the charity cannot succeed alone. They work in partnership with police, childcare professionals, schools, the government, community organisations and thousands of individual supporters - everyone who puts children at the heart of everything we do.

Other ways to support

You can help the children of Scotland by volunteering, spreading the word on social media, putting Children 1st forward as a charity of choice in the workplace, joining one of their fundraising groups, attending an event or lending your support to a Children 1st campaign to help them strengthen their voice with government and society when speaking out on children’s rights.

Address

83 Whitehouse Loan
Edinburgh
EH9 1AT

Contact Number

0131 446 2300