Who We Are
The Children’s Centre develops, manages, and pioneers a variety of community initiatives and services aimed at enabling children, young people and families to realise their full potential. We are an independent Manx charity – undertaking our own projects and working with others – to put children, young people and families first.
Our vision for the future
Our vision is to put children, young people and families first and by doing so make the Isle of Man a safe and progressive community – one of the best environments in the world to be born, raised and live.
To find out what has been happening at the charity within the past twelve months and our plans for the future, please see our latest Annual Review on our 'Downloads' tab above.
Accreditation
The Children’s Centre aims to ensure that all the children, young people and families we work with are empowered to ‘be the best they can be’ and this ethos also applies to us as an organisation.
We are constantly striving to develop our practice and work to exceptionally high standards. We currently hold accreditations from, and have affiliations with, the following official bodies:
- Investor in People
- Freedom to Flourish Champions
- Best Companies
- Cache
- Adventure Activities Licensing Authority
- NVQ
- Open College Network
- National Association of Child Contact Centres
Charity Structure
The organisation is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees who delegate the day to day running of the organisation to an appointed Chief Executive and a Senior Management Team working across a range of services.
History
The history of The Children’s Centre stretches back to 1868 - when our founder and local philanthropist Henry Bloom Noble recognised that there was a large number of destitute children living in Douglas.
These children lacked housing, food, clothing and education and it was realised that without help they children would most likely succumb to starvation or crime.
Whilst the location of the charity changed on many occasions, it remained a children’s home for over a century. In the 1980’s, our Trustees looked at the changing needs of young people and their families and decided to make dramatic and far reaching alterations in the work of the charity – both to diversify and innovate - enabling the name change to ‘The Isle of Man Children’s Centre’, a much kinder and more suitable title for the wide range of services offered.
Our name change to ‘The Children’s Centre’ in October 2009 was the result of a review into the way we present ourselves as a charity, our mission and our vision. With the opening of our newly integrated buildings on Woodbourne Road, Douglas, it was the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on our past achievements and look forward to an exciting and challenging future; a future where children, young people and families come first.
What We Do
As the Isle of Man’s leading children’s charity, The Children’s Centre works directly with over 1,000 children, young people and families each week. We run 15 vital services across the Island, each working to address a different recognised need.
Children and Young People
Kids come first to us and that is why we offer a wide range of services on the Isle of Man designed to meet their needs. From birth to aged 18 and beyond, we are currently working with over 500 children and young people each week - in locations across the Island.
Family
It’s a tough job being a parent - hard work, unsociable hours, no pay and often little thanks. We understand that it’s not easy and that’s why our range of family services aim to put the individual needs of families first.
Community
The Children’s Centre works within communities across the Isle of Man to promote the safeguarding and well being of children, young people and families.
Get Involved
By giving up some of your time and getting involved, you are helping us to put the needs of local children, young people and families first.
There are lots of easy ways you can get involved and support our work. You can fundraise, take part in an event or even volunteer – whatever way in which you choose to support us you will be making a real difference in your community.
