Coram
Supporting vulnerable children through long-term partnership
Coram's partnership with the Pears Foundation is exceptionally important to us. They were the lead funder on the development of our new centre for creative therapy and adoption support - the Pears Pavilion - but they have also taken the time to get to know other areas of our work with vulnerable children and families. In doing so, they have generously chosen to support several pieces of Coram's ongoing work, including direct therapeutic services, legal advice and representation for marginalised young people and expansion of our volunteer-based literacy programme. We can't thank Trevor, Amy, Kari and their team enough for their transformational support to Coram and their wider philanthropic leadership.Dame Carol Homden DBE, CEO, Coram
We believe that everyone has a right to a fulfilling life, whatever their circumstances. Coram’s unique approach to providing holistic, family-centred support helps some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK to find loving homes, overcome traumatic pasts and achieve their potential.Sir Trevor Pears
Partner since: 2013
Funding invested: £2.8million
- Core: Creative therapies;
- Project: DCMS Volunteering Futures Fund; Migrant Children’s Project, Coram Beanstalk
- Capital: Pears Pavilion; Coram Institute
Children facing adversity rarely experience just one challenge. Difficulties in family life, education, mental health, the care system or immigration status are often interconnected, requiring support that is both specialist and long term.
Pears Foundation has partnered with Coram since 2013 because of its holistic approach to improving the lives of vulnerable children and young people. As our understanding of the organisation has grown, so too has our partnership. What began with support for one part of Coram’s work has evolved into a long-term relationship spanning therapeutic services, legal advice, literacy, research and capital development.
Our lead gift helped create the Pears Pavilion, a purpose-built home for Coram’s Creative Therapies and adoption support services. Here, children and families affected by trauma receive specialist support through music therapy, art therapy and other creative approaches, while adoptive families are offered lifelong support from specialist social workers.
Over time, our partnership has expanded to support other parts of Coram’s work. We provide long-term funding for the Migrant Children’s Project, which offers legal advice and representation to some of the UK’s most vulnerable young people, and Coram Beanstalk, which trains volunteers to help children develop the reading skills and confidence that underpin future learning. We have also supported the redevelopment of Coram’s London campus, strengthening the charity’s ability to influence policy and practice as well as deliver services.
Improving children’s lives requires more than responding to immediate need. By supporting services, research, advocacy and places where children and families can flourish, we aim to help Coram continue creating better chances for children, now and forever.