Who we are

Children North East is a vibrant and forward thinking regional children's charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne. The charity began way back in 1891 as the Poor Children's Holiday Association (PCHA) when its remit was to take the poor children from the slums of Newcastle and Gateshead on a trip to the clean fresh air of the seaside. Over the years the work of the charity changed from these early seaside trips. It went on to include training schools for boys and girls, night shelters for street children, a children's sanatorium for consumptive children and children's homes for children who, for one reason or another, could no longer live at home with their families. 120 years later Children North East is still working hard in the community to combat the effects of poverty, neglect and disadvantage on children, young people and families. The services offered today are very different from those of the past and they will continue to change to meet the needs and demands of the 21st century. The services of Children North East today include:

• Support for families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless
• Support for children and young people who are in danger of being taken into care due to substance misuse or domestic violence within their family
• Support for families with children who find themselves struggling with issues like depression, debt, isolation etc.
• Support for primary school children who are under achieving in a school setting
• Support for young people who have issues around self-esteem, mental health, sexual health, housing, unemployment, training and education
• Support for children and families who live in areas of rural isolation
• Work to recognise and encourage the role of fathers and male carers in the life of a family and encourage the role of men in childcare.

Children North East is the longest established independent children's charity in the North East of England but it does not live in the past. It constantly changes and evolves to meet the ever changing needs of those we support. The work of Children North East is needed just as much today as it was 120 year ago. At Children North East we believe that every child and young person in the region has the right to a happy and fulfilling childhood and that they and their families should be supported through their problems and be given the opportunity to reach their full potential in life.