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Who we are

We believe in a world where no child has to live on the streets.

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Since Railway Children was founded in 1995, the charity has had one mission: to keep street-connected children safe wherever they are in the world.

It’s ambitious. But that doesn’t faze us.

Empowering vulnerable young people

In India, Tanzania and the UK, we’ve saved and changed the lives of vulnerable children at risk of a life on the streets – or already surviving their cruelty.

And we’ve achieved landmark policy changes across all three countries to better protect street-connected children.

Our goal is global change, and we won’t stop until every child at risk of being lost to the streets is protected.

We’ve already achieved a lot with the help of our partners and supporters. But there’s more to do.

Are you with us?

How we're leading the change

...through unique partnerships

Our safety nets set up across transport networks identify children at risk so we can get them to safety sooner. And our unique partnerships with transport operators and the transport community make it possible.

 

They put us in a powerful position to spot the changes needed and make them happen – from changing physical environments to enabling everyone working on transport networks to take action that saves and changes children’s lives.

...with proven programmes

Our child-first programmes rebuild young lives. Giving children a voice means we understand the deep-rooted issues that drive children to the streets – issues at home, in communities and cultures and within the system.

By listening, learning and continually evolving the way we work, we engage more children who won’t connect with others. We break cycles of abuse, for good. And our team is recognised as the most experienced when it comes to successful safeguarding in the home, on the streets and within communities.  

...on government agendas

We’re rewriting the future for vulnerable children by strengthening child protection systems and building frontline capacity. As the recognised voice of authority concerning street-connected children, we’re galvanising governments and civil society to put child protection at the top of the agenda wherever we work. And we’re challenging and influencing the laws, policies and practices urgently needed to protect some of the most marginalised children in society.

...through unique partnerships

Our safety nets set up across transport networks identify children at risk so we can get them to safety sooner. And our unique partnerships with transport operators and the transport community make it possible.

 

They put us in a powerful position to spot the changes needed and make them happen – from changing physical environments to enabling everyone working on transport networks to take action that saves and changes children’s lives.

...with proven programmes

Our child-first programmes rebuild young lives. Giving children a voice means we understand the deep-rooted issues that drive children to the streets – issues at home, in communities and cultures and within the system.

By listening, learning and continually evolving the way we work, we engage more children who won’t connect with others. We break cycles of abuse, for good. And our team is recognised as the most experienced when it comes to successful safeguarding in the home, on the streets and within communities.  

...on government agendas

We’re rewriting the future for vulnerable children by strengthening child protection systems and building frontline capacity. As the recognised voice of authority concerning street-connected children, we’re galvanising governments and civil society to put child protection at the top of the agenda wherever we work. And we’re challenging and influencing the laws, policies and practices urgently needed to protect some of the most marginalised children in society.

From Waterloo Station to the global stage: where it all began

Railway Children founder, David Maidment, will never forget the haunted eyes of a young girl being cruelly exploited on an Indian railway.

This chance encounter was a life-changing moment for David who, on returning to Britain, set about establishing the Railway Children charity which was launched under Waterloo’s iconic clock in the summer of 1995.

Since then, Railway Children has saved and changed the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable children.

“Some children had, on average, between 10 and 20 minutes [on the transport system] before being picked up by someone who would exploit them – a paedophile, drug pusher or someone else who would harm them in some way.

"I couldn’t live with that.”

David Maidment 

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