Action for Children
The Methodist Church has been working in partnership with Action for Children for 140 years to give society's most vulnerable and neglected children and young people the support they need.
Methodist pioneers
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.
Stephenson founded The Children's Home in 1869, with the help of two friends from Bolton 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.
Methodist support
LMC has a very active Support Group that organises various events such as an annual Plant sale, concerts, House to House and street collections and Carol singing at Christmas. The group raised in excess of £7,000 last year.
