Breaking the Cycle: Creating Communities of change with Barnardos

As the cost of living crisis deepens and the global economy remains uncertain, the families that Barnardos support are most at risk and vulnerable to continued and escalating life challenges.

Every day, Barnardos works in 56 services across Ireland to break the cycle of poverty through investment in long term support programmes to create transformational change. Our core work focuses on Enabling Communities, Social Inclusion & Engagement – through our early intervention services, our family support programmes, our bereavement service and working to support as many of the at-risk families and children in Ireland today.

The Challenge facing families and children today

• 2,000 children and families on waiting lists
• 25% increase in need for Barnardos support
• 2% increase in essential living costs for families (up 20% since 2020)

Families are struggling more than ever – and too often we are the only bridge between the vulnerable children we support and a brighter future. But we’ve developed a new campaign, calling on corporate Ireland to join us to change the story for thousands of children.

Join the cause – be the solution

We’re launching the first ever Barnardos Big Breakfast this October.
We invite you and your colleagues to join us for the first ever Big Breakfast, all to support our work with over 26,000 children and families. You’ll have heard it from an early age that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, particularly for children. A nutritious breakfast can help them to get the nutrients needed for growth and development, reduce hunger and support learning. It provides the fuel to get up and go in the morning! Barnardos Breakfast Clubs, in our Early Years services and in schools, provide children with a warm, nutritious breakfast to help set them up for the day of learning ahead.

Get ready to make a big difference - with breakfast!

Barnardos Big Breakfast offers you and your teams the chance to get together and turn your morning coffee, croissants, or cornflakes into a meaningful social event to raise funds for vulnerable children in Ireland. Whether you're an early riser or brunch lover, a large company or a small business, everyone can get involved.

Host a Big Breakfast fundraising event to promote the importance of a healthy breakfast, the benefits of sharing a meal together and fuelling the mind for a day of work. The funds you raise will help fill a child’s tummy so they can grow strong and healthy and will support our early intervention services with the youngest children in our communities. This work with families and communities gives the opportunity to change a child’s story. Because childhood lasts a lifetime.

Remember, the Big Breakfast is all about raising your cup of coffee with colleagues while making a real difference. Please register now at www.BarnardosBigBreakfast.ie or email our team for more info at bigbreakfast@barnardos.ie

Kate Conroy
Head of Partnerships
Barnardos Ireland