The Children

"My friend is one of the most important people in my life." Jack, aged 10

We believe that all children at FUN are both unique and special although they may come from many different situations. What they have in common is that they are all growing up in lone-parent families in deprived inner city areas. They experience social isolation, suffer from low esteem and are often under-achieving at school. They all benefit from the extra attention provided by a caring adult on a long term, one-to-one basis.

The children are carefully assessed by a team of professional staff, and great care is taken in the matching of each child with his or her adult befriender.

"FUN's about having a special friend that comes around and you can go anywhere you like and you can always trust them and rely on them" Sasha, aged 11

"I really like having a FUN FRIEND because it has given me a second family. I have a disabled brother so I would not have been able to do half the things I have without my FUN FRIEND." Felicia, aged 12

"FUN's not about just having a teacher to take you out with rules, it's a proper friend who can know you for ever." Kelly, aged 13

"It helps me to talk about problems with him and we have a good friendship, also he's fun, reliable and doesn't nag." Darren, aged 9

"He has good ideas and we like the same things and hobbies" Jessie, aged 10

"FUN has things going on, on different days. On Christmas we have a Christmas party and we do all sorts of things" Nicole aged 11

"It helps me to talk about problems with him and we have a good friendship" Joe, aged 15

"She is not too competitive, which is good because I don't really like competitive people. She's really warm and friendly and is always nice to me" Lucy, aged 12