CONTACT US JOBS CYMRAEG HOME ABOUT US OUR SERVICES GET INVOLVED CAMPAIGNS POLICY & RESEARCH NEWS DONATE What we do Corporate information Jobs Brand toolkit Our history Methodist partnership About the partnership Action for Children Sunday Lent Advent and Christmas Fundraising at church Fundraising contacts Our Ambassadors Our Philanthropists Our Royal Patron Home • About us • Methodist partnership • About the partnership About the Methodist partnership We have been working in partnership with the Methodist Church for 145 years to give society's most vulnerable and neglected children and young people the support they need. Thomas Bowman Stephenson, a Methodist minister from the North East of England, had a passionate commitment to social justice and campaigned on behalf of the vulnerable of his day. From the time he moved to London, Stephenson challenged the Methodist Church to address the plight of homeless children on the street. Methodist pioneers Stephenson founded The Children's Home in 1869, with the help of two friends called Francis Horner and Alfred Mager. They called it The Children's Home as they wanted to provide the same quality of care that other children received in a loving home - a vision that was radically different to the workhouses of the day. The work grew and developed, and it was initially Methodists, staff and volunteers who developed new ways of caring for children and young people. The National Children's Home (as it became known) has featured prominently in the history of child welfare as a leader and force for change. Methodist principles Action for Children's ethos is deeply rooted in Methodist principles. The famous words of John Wesley to 'go not only to those who need you but to those who need you most' eloquently and simply describe our vision and values today. We maintain close links with the Methodist Church in Britain. Our Council of trustees is appointed by the Methodist Conference - to which we report annually. A number of Methodists are trustees and all of our national committees in England, Scotland and Wales have at least one Methodist representative. Methodist support Many of our supporters and volunteers come from local Methodist churches. We let churches know about our work in their area and support local Methodists who fundraise and campaign with us. The Methodist Church gives particular attention to Action for Children's work during worship on the second Sunday in July each year, Action for Children Sunday, and at Christmas. Cookies Privacy Terms and conditions Accessibility Sitemap Jobs | Donate | Methodist partnership | © Action for Children 2014 Registered charity: 1097940/SC038092 | Company: 4764232