Since 2019, The Turner Kirk Trust has supported Hope and Homes for Children (HHC) in its mission to eliminate orphanage-based care systems worldwide. In recent developments, the UK government has partnered with HHC to launch a global campaign advocating for family-based care for children.
The initiative, announced on 17th January by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, will see the UK lead the first Global Alliance to end the institutionalisation of children across the world.
An estimated 5.4 million children across the world are living in orphanages. Yet 80% are not orphans – they have at least one living parent or extended family who could care for them, given the right support. Growing up in orphanage care is known to cause severe developmental and psychological harm to children. Which is why HHC is working to put systems in place to ensure all children can benefit from being brought up in a loving, caring family environment.
The Turner Kirk Trust has provided a total of £480,000 to HHC via the UBS Optimus Foundation to support its mission. In South Africa, HHC’s One Child One Family Project has scaled child protection efforts across five provinces, successfully transitioning over 12,000 children from orphans to family-based care and securing policy changes for long-term change. In 2024, HHC handed over its care reform model for nationwide roll-out.
Now, the UK government is paying attention to HHC’s efforts to highlight the scale of the problem. On the 17th January, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and actor Barry Keoghan announced the launch of the first global campaign to advocate for family-based care for all children. Developed with advisory support from HHC, the initiative seeks to end the institutionalisation of children worldwide.
The campaign launch involved a visit to Bulgaria, where Lammy and Keoghan met with HHC Bulgaria staff and heard from the Bulgarian Minister of Health, Silvi Kirilov, who praised the charity's work. They also visited children's centres to speak with foster parents and children who have successfully reintegrated into families, thanks to HHC.
The UK Government is spearheading a Global Alliance for children’s care. Six countries have joined the alliance to date – Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, Paraguay, the Philippines and Rwanda. A global charter will also be launched later this year.
HHC CEO Mark Waddington and members of the UK team have worked in an advisory role with the Government's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office to develop the initiative. Their expertise ensures that reforms are rooted in evidence-based approaches that prioritise children’s rights and well-being.
Every child has the right to grow up feeling safe and loved. This global mission – started by the work of the HHC, supported by the Turner Kirk Trust, and now driven forward by the UK government, has the chance to become a reality through sustainable reform of children’s care.
