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 Children on the Edge works in coalition with local communities in some of the toughest places in the world, transforming the lives of marginalised children by creating protective environments where they can safely live, play, learn and grow.
2022 has been an incredible year of transformation for the children we work with, thanks to continued support of our Children on the Edge community. We'd love to invite you to grab a cup of tea and read through our monthly highlights from 2022 and see just how much your generosity is making a difference.......
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 Children on the Edge is a Chichester based charity that works to support some of the worlds' most marginalised children, living in some of the toughest situations. The charity was co-founded in 1990 by Bishop Luffa graduate and Chichester resident, Rachel Bentley and the late Dame Anita Roddick. After witnessing the appalling conditions in Romanian orphanages first hand, Dame Anita Roddick mobilised her company, The Body Shop International, based in Littlehampton, to help. The Body Shop, sent supplies and a small group of volunteers, to help three orphanages in the remote village of Halaucesti. Rachel Bentley, a 23-year-old law graduate from Chichester, was one of these volunteers, and together, they sparked the response that created Children on the Edge, which exists to this day to support some of the most marginalised children around the world.
By 1992, Rachel Bentley and Anita Roddick started the charity, Children on the Edge in an official capacity, together with The Body Shop. By this time, they had developed considerable expertise in working with institutionalised children in Eastern Europe, working through local partners, and coordinating all their work from offices in Chichester.
The charity is grateful for the incredible generosity and long term support of The Body Shop and other local Chichester businesses, including Montezuma's, Store Property, Wiley and many others over the years, who have made an incredible difference and made much of our work possible. Children on the Edge is also supported by a faithful community of supporters in West Sussex and beyond. Local schools, churches, individuals and organisations as well as consultants from The Body Shop At Home, have raised thousands of pounds to support our work with marginalised children around the world. Our historic flagship fundraising event, the Chichester Half Marathon was brilliantly supported by the Chichester community during the years that we were involved (up to 2019), and the event raised tens of thousands of pounds for our vital work around the world. The event is now run by Everyone Active.  The Children on the Edge Chichester Half Marathon Event was a popular local event
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 Cluster group learning in Uganda supports over 2000 of the youngest refugees to learn and play |  Learning centres in India offer Dalit children the chance to learn in a safe space |
As Children on the Edge grows, we continue to apply what Anita had taught us: to trust your gut and always listen to people on the ground, who know the culture and understand the needs of their own people best.
Rachel Bentley, who was awarded an OBE in 2022, still leads Children on the Edge with the same spark that she and Anita began it with, and The Body Shop has been a faithful pillar of support ever since.
Rachel Bentley, who was awarded an OBE in 2022, still leads Children on the Edge with the same spark that she and Anita began it with, and The Body Shop has been a faithful pillar of support ever since.
Today, we continue to adapt and respond, always working on the “edge” for a world where every child can thrive, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, caste or geography.
The 'edge' in 1990 was the institutionalisation of children in Romania, and today, the 'edge' takes us to Uganda, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Lebanon, where refugee children are stripped of their rights to education, and denied their chances of a brighter future. Children on the Edge provide education for over 17,000 refugee children who have fled persecution, conflict or violence.
Our award-winning programmes use innovative ways to enable access to education, working alongside local communities to find the best possible solutions. We train refugee teachers so that children can learn in their own dialect, from familiar, trusted adults that understand them and our classrooms are fun and colourful environments where children are safe and can learn to express themselves.
'The Edge' also takes us to India, where Dalit children are denied their rights and are unable to access education, and to the slums of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where working children face huge barriers to education.
Education breaks ongoing cycles of displacement and poverty, and the classroom creates a place where hope can begin, and children can start to flourish.
The 'edge' in 1990 was the institutionalisation of children in Romania, and today, the 'edge' takes us to Uganda, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Lebanon, where refugee children are stripped of their rights to education, and denied their chances of a brighter future. Children on the Edge provide education for over 17,000 refugee children who have fled persecution, conflict or violence.
Our award-winning programmes use innovative ways to enable access to education, working alongside local communities to find the best possible solutions. We train refugee teachers so that children can learn in their own dialect, from familiar, trusted adults that understand them and our classrooms are fun and colourful environments where children are safe and can learn to express themselves.
'The Edge' also takes us to India, where Dalit children are denied their rights and are unable to access education, and to the slums of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where working children face huge barriers to education.
Education breaks ongoing cycles of displacement and poverty, and the classroom creates a place where hope can begin, and children can start to flourish.
How can you support Children on the Edge?
Our wonderful community play a vital role in transforming the lives of marginalised children around the world. Your support really does make a difference. If you'd like to keep up to date with all our latest news and find out how you can support our work, please join our mailing list.
| 1. Become a Regular Donor Regular, reliable income ensures that we can continue to support marginalised children living on the edge, as we have been doing for over 30 years. Find out more >> |  |
| 2. Join Our Latest Virtual Challenge Whether it be walking, yoga or a fitness challenge and no matter where you are, you can get involved with our virtual challenges. Find out more >> |  |
| 3. Fundraise in your Workplace Perfect for team-building, strengthening relationships and making a difference, why not fundraise at work? Find out more >> |  |
| 4. Become a Corporate Partner With transforming benefits for your business, your staff and your customers, and the chance to be at the heart of bringing hope to children around the world, there are so many reasons to start a partnership with us. Contact us to have a chat >> |  |
| 5. Hold your own Event We love hearing and supporting your ideas, there are unlimited options! Have a think, be creative, either on your own, or as part of a club, school or faith group. Find out more >> |  |
| 6. Fundraise at School Support us with a one-off fundraising event or activity, get involved for a term or become a long-term partner. Or invite us in for an assembly if you're thinking about supporting Children on the Edge at school. Find out more >> |  |
What Makes Us Different?
Being a small charity based in Chichester gives us some great advantages in how we work and what impact we have.....
We can work under the radar: Being small often enables us to work in areas where larger organisations cannot, due to their size and the limitations and bureaucracy that come with that.
We’re agile: Our size gives us the flexibility to meet the needs of the people we work with quickly and effectively. For example, if our partners are faced with a sudden flood, increased air raids or arrests, then we can respond immediately, building support or adapting the programme accordingly to continue to meet the needs of the children we work with.
We’re streamlined: We don’t rely on large and costly international staff offices in the countries we work in. Instead, we focus on building strong relationships with our local partners who have a thorough understanding of the situation on the ground and a depth of relationships with their communities. Our office in Chichester, West Sussex, has 13 staff members and we also employ a regional manager in Asia.
We’re focused: Having a small number of projects means we can focus on delivering work of the highest quality. We fine tune our projects and ensure that each child is valued as an individual.
We keep you connected: Our size means that our donors and supporters can have a real connection and ownership with the work they are investing in. Your money doesn’t go into a huge machine, but to a small (but perfectly formed!) group of projects from which you are updated on regularly. This means you can see the changes that you are making possible.
In the kind of work we do of supporting children in some of the toughest situations across the world there are so many benefits to being a small organisation like us. You can rest assured that your money is always being spent wisely and where the need is greatest.
On average, for every pound spent by Children on the Edge, 86p goes towards our work with marginalised children around the world. This money helps to support local communities in creating safe, child friendly spaces, where children are able to realise their rights and look to a better future.
The rest covers our fundraising costs to bring in a sustainable, steady stream of income to keep our projects running smoothly, along with all our UK office overheads.
We’re agile: Our size gives us the flexibility to meet the needs of the people we work with quickly and effectively. For example, if our partners are faced with a sudden flood, increased air raids or arrests, then we can respond immediately, building support or adapting the programme accordingly to continue to meet the needs of the children we work with.
We’re streamlined: We don’t rely on large and costly international staff offices in the countries we work in. Instead, we focus on building strong relationships with our local partners who have a thorough understanding of the situation on the ground and a depth of relationships with their communities. Our office in Chichester, West Sussex, has 13 staff members and we also employ a regional manager in Asia.
We’re focused: Having a small number of projects means we can focus on delivering work of the highest quality. We fine tune our projects and ensure that each child is valued as an individual.
We keep you connected: Our size means that our donors and supporters can have a real connection and ownership with the work they are investing in. Your money doesn’t go into a huge machine, but to a small (but perfectly formed!) group of projects from which you are updated on regularly. This means you can see the changes that you are making possible.
In the kind of work we do of supporting children in some of the toughest situations across the world there are so many benefits to being a small organisation like us. You can rest assured that your money is always being spent wisely and where the need is greatest.
On average, for every pound spent by Children on the Edge, 86p goes towards our work with marginalised children around the world. This money helps to support local communities in creating safe, child friendly spaces, where children are able to realise their rights and look to a better future.
The rest covers our fundraising costs to bring in a sustainable, steady stream of income to keep our projects running smoothly, along with all our UK office overheads.
As we approach what would have been the late Dame Anita Roddick's 80th birthday, we take a look back at our history and what sparked Anita and her company, The Body Shop to co-found Children on the Edge in 1990. Rachel Bentley, our CEO talks about Anita in those early days, describing how The Body Shop and Children on the Edge are still working to create brighter futures for children around the world to this day.
Children on the Edge works hand-in-hand with local communities around the world to create safe spaces, where children are able to realise their rights. We rely entirely on donations from our amazing community of supporters, who currently fund vital work for over 20,000 marginalised children, and we couldn’t do it without them!
We are so grateful to receive one-off donations from individuals, from fundraising activities and events, as well as fantastic contributions from trusts, foundations and corporate partners. In addition... an excellent way that you can support us, that really does pack a punch, is a regular, monthly donation.
We are so grateful to receive one-off donations from individuals, from fundraising activities and events, as well as fantastic contributions from trusts, foundations and corporate partners. In addition... an excellent way that you can support us, that really does pack a punch, is a regular, monthly donation.
We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded an iF Design Social Impact Prize for our Cluster Learning refugee education programme in Kyaka II refugee settlement, Uganda.
Supporting Children on the Edge: 5 reasons why being a small charity makes a big difference
1/6/2022
In the kind of work we do - supporting children in the some of the toughest situations across the world - there are many benefits to being a small organisation. Here are five reasons why small is beautiful…
1. We can work under the radar
Being small has enabled us to access situations that larger organisations cannot, due to their size and the corresponding limitations and bureaucracy. For example, from 2011, for six years we were the only organisation providing education in safe spaces to Rohingya refugee children from Myanmar in the largest makeshift camp in Bangladesh. We attribute this in part, to our compact size. Since the influx of Rohingya refugees after attacks escalated in August 2017, a huge number of larger organisations arrived to contribute help, and we have replicated our community based education model to meet gaps in provision of education.
2. We’re agile
Our size enables us to have the flexibility to meet needs in a targeted way, as they arise, quickly and in a relational manner. If our partners are faced with a crisis, like dropping temperatures, fires within crowded camps, the explosion in Beirut, sudden floods, increased air raids or arrests, then we can respond immediately, garnering support or adapting the programme accordingly to continue to meet the needs of the children we work with.
3. We’re streamlined
We don’t rely on large and costly international staff offices in the countries we work in. Instead, we focus on building strong relationships with our local partners who have a thorough understanding of the situation on the ground and a depth of relationship with their communities.
4. We’re focused
Having a small number of projects means we can focus on delivering work of the highest quality. Larger organisations have a higher capacity, but deal very much in 'broad brush strokes', where as we have the ability to fine tune and ensure that each child is valued as an individual.
5. We keep you connected
Our small size means that our donors and supporters can have a greater connection and ownership with the work they are investing in. Your money doesn’t go into a huge machine, but to a small (but perfectly formed!) group of projects which you are updated on regularly, seeing tangibly and specifically the ongoing progress that you are making possible.
Read more about our work and how we help.
1. We can work under the radar
Being small has enabled us to access situations that larger organisations cannot, due to their size and the corresponding limitations and bureaucracy. For example, from 2011, for six years we were the only organisation providing education in safe spaces to Rohingya refugee children from Myanmar in the largest makeshift camp in Bangladesh. We attribute this in part, to our compact size. Since the influx of Rohingya refugees after attacks escalated in August 2017, a huge number of larger organisations arrived to contribute help, and we have replicated our community based education model to meet gaps in provision of education.
2. We’re agile
Our size enables us to have the flexibility to meet needs in a targeted way, as they arise, quickly and in a relational manner. If our partners are faced with a crisis, like dropping temperatures, fires within crowded camps, the explosion in Beirut, sudden floods, increased air raids or arrests, then we can respond immediately, garnering support or adapting the programme accordingly to continue to meet the needs of the children we work with.
3. We’re streamlined
We don’t rely on large and costly international staff offices in the countries we work in. Instead, we focus on building strong relationships with our local partners who have a thorough understanding of the situation on the ground and a depth of relationship with their communities.
4. We’re focused
Having a small number of projects means we can focus on delivering work of the highest quality. Larger organisations have a higher capacity, but deal very much in 'broad brush strokes', where as we have the ability to fine tune and ensure that each child is valued as an individual.
5. We keep you connected
Our small size means that our donors and supporters can have a greater connection and ownership with the work they are investing in. Your money doesn’t go into a huge machine, but to a small (but perfectly formed!) group of projects which you are updated on regularly, seeing tangibly and specifically the ongoing progress that you are making possible.
Read more about our work and how we help.
Ukrainian refugees on border - Photo by Fotoreserg
The crisis in Ukraine has shocked the world, and as with other conflicts and crises, people are desperate to help. But what is the best way to support the people affected and respond to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Europe?
On this year’s International Women’s Day, we are reflecting on some of the amazing women that make our programmes happen around the world, by asking our team in the UK who inspires them and why.
This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias, and it asks us to imagine a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Children on the Edge envisions a world in which every child thrives regardless of their geography, ethnicity, gender, or caste. So we’d like to introduce some of the women that most inspire us, and how they’re contributing to ‘breaking the bias’.
This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias, and it asks us to imagine a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Children on the Edge envisions a world in which every child thrives regardless of their geography, ethnicity, gender, or caste. So we’d like to introduce some of the women that most inspire us, and how they’re contributing to ‘breaking the bias’.
Children on the Edge is a Child Rights organisation, but what does that mean? What does a child rights organisation do?
Children on the Edge works in coalition with local communities in some of the toughest places in the world, transforming the lives of marginalised children by creating protective environments where they can safely live, play, learn and grow.
It will come as no surprise that our focus in 2020-2021 has been responding to the coronavirus pandemic and it’s devastating effects in every area where we work.
It will come as no surprise that our focus in 2020-2021 has been responding to the coronavirus pandemic and it’s devastating effects in every area where we work.
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