The Childhood Trust
Tackling child poverty across London, one child, one family, and one bedroom at a time.
At 1st Formations, we’re proud to be partnered with The Childhood Trust. Find out more about the work they do, why we support them, and how our team is getting involved.
Supporting London’s children
The Childhood Trust is London’s child poverty charity. It funds grassroots charities, runs community programmes, and raises awareness of the challenges facing young Londoners.
Through local partners, the Trust helps children and families access food, mental health support, education, and other vital services. Its Transforming Spaces programme turns empty rooms into safe, furnished bedrooms where children can sleep, learn, and grow.
The partnership in numbers
1 in 3
children in Londonlive in poverty
59
bedrooms transformedthrough Transforming Spaces
432
volunteers engagedin the programme
Sources: The Childhood Trust (child poverty in London) · Transforming Spaces: why a bedroom matters (bedrooms and volunteers)
Why we work with The Childhood Trust
As a London business, we wanted a charity partnership that makes a real, visible difference close to home. With one in three children in the capital growing up in poverty, this work is happening on our doorstep.
The Trust’s practical, grassroots approach gives our team hands-on ways to help. Our people can volunteer their time, take on fundraising challenges, and support local families.
Housed but not homed
Many families in London move into homes with no beds, flooring, curtains, or basic furniture. Children feel it first: lost sleep, emotional distress, trouble concentrating at school, and nowhere safe of their own.
Transforming Spaces is The Childhood Trust’s community outreach programme. It creates safe, personalised bedrooms for children living in poverty, and it’s where our team’s volunteering days take place.
Better sleep, better days
Quality beds and bedding help children rest well and arrive at school ready to learn.
A space that’s theirs
A personalised room builds a sense of stability, pride, and belonging.
Confidence to connect
A room they’re proud of means children feel able to invite friends over.
Room to play and learn
A dedicated space supports homework, creativity, and free play.
What we’re working towards
We became an official corporate partner of The Childhood Trust in 2026. Together, we’re helping to:
How we’re making a difference
From fundraising to rolling up our sleeves, here’s how the 1st Formations team is supporting The Childhood Trust.
Funding local change
1st Formations makes a financial donation to The Childhood Trust. Our donation helps fund the grassroots charities and community programmes supporting children and families across London.
Turning houses into homes
On 16 July 2026, eight of us spent a paid volunteering day at a family home in North London. Kris, a Transforming Spaces volunteer, led the day. We sanded, filled, and painted the walls, then built a bed, two desks, a chair, and a stool.
The result was a bright pink bedroom for a little girl, a few weeks before her second birthday. We’ve got two more volunteering days planned for 2027.
The finished room
We walked into a property where a two-year-old was living. We walked out knowing they now had a home.
The 1st Formations volunteering team, July 2026
Running for a reason
Our team is lacing up for The Childhood Trust at the HOKA Hackney Half.
HOKA Hackney Half
Sunday 16 May 2027 · Hackney has one of the highest child poverty rates in London
Event detailsGiving this winter
We’re collecting gifts this year for children and families supported by The Childhood Trust. Our team will be shopping from a wish list put together by the charity.
Seeing our team roll up their sleeves on a Transforming Spaces project was a proud moment. A safe, comfortable bedroom is something most of us take for granted. For a child growing up in poverty, it gives them a secure place to rest and study. That’s the kind of practical, lasting impact we want to be part of.
Graeme Donnelly, CEO and Founder of 1st Formations
Want to find out more?
Discover how The Childhood Trust is tackling child poverty across London, and how you can help too.