Got questions? Call our friendly team on 01932 836490. Our current opening hours are from 9.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday's.
Please leave a voicemail if you'd like a call back outside of this.
See how child sponsorship can change one life
Compassion child sponsorship works
The longstanding project-based, child development programme you’ll give your sponsored child access to in the future is highly effective.
Dr Bruce Wydick, Journal of Political Economy
Independent research into the project-based programme shows Compassion-sponsored children stay in school longer and are more likely to grow up to be employed and become leaders in their churches and communities.
Compassion is committed to excellent stewardship and is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. We conduct regular internal and external audits in our field offices and in the UK.
81p directly benefitting children in poverty
7p support costs
In the financial year 19/20, for every pound given in child sponsorship donations:
88p spent on charitable activities
12p spent on fundraising and finding the next sponsor
69 years’ experience advocating for children
Compassion has been trusted charity since 1952.
Direct one-to-one child sponsorship
The child you choose to sponsor today will directly receive the benefit of your sponsorship support.
Church-based
We run our child sponsorship programme exclusively in partnership with local churches who fully understand their local communities.
During the COVID-19 crisis your sponsorship will:
Once our project-based programme can resume, you'll provide your sponsored child with:
We'll provide you with everything you need to build a unique relationship with your sponsored child:
Within 48 hours of sponsoring, you'll have access to myCompassion where you'll be able to write your first letter as well as viewing your sponsored child's information and photo.
When you sponsor a child today, in the next 7-10 working days, you'll receive your Welcome Pack with a framed photo of your sponsored child.
Receiving personal letters and drawings from your sponsored child will give you a unique insight into their culture and community. As you write back, you'll speak encouragement into your sponsored child's life.
Once a year you'll receive a message from the pastor or director of the Compassion project your sponsored child attends every week. You'll learn more about the life-changing support your sponsorship is providing.
Photo updates of your sponsored child will show you how they're growing and thriving. You'll also receive news about what they're learning at their project.
When COVID-19 restrictions allow, Compassion offers you the chance to visit your sponsored child either on a group trip or individual visit. Make treasured memories and be encouraged about the difference you're making.
Begin your child sponsorship journey today by finding a child on our website who is waiting for a sponsor. At the moment, we have the greatest number of children waiting for a sponsor in Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti, Tanzania and Kenya.
You may also be interested in following guides:
Some of the questions you may have about sponsorship.
The quickest way to send a birthday greeting to your sponsored child is through your myCompassion account or via the Compassion UK App. If you don’t yet have a myCompassion account, then you can set one up here.
We have a selection of greeting designs for you to choose from, which you can personalise with a message and a photograph.
Alternatively, you’re welcome to send a hand-written card to our office. Simply pop it in an envelope and write the words ‘FREEPOST COMPASSION UK’ all in upper case on the front. Don’t forget to leave space in your card for translation and make sure you write both your reference number and your child’s reference on the back.
Here at Compassion, we want to help as many families as possible. Therefore, we generally sponsor only one child from each family. However, if the family is in great need, up to three children could be enrolled.
The great news is that that the benefits of the sponsorship programme reach into the family and wider community of your sponsored child. Because all our programmes are run through local churches, there are plenty of opportunities for families to access things such as health screenings, nutritional advice and support, parenting workshops and other church activities. Sponsored children often share what they learn at the Compassion project with siblings and many lead their entire families to Christ. As well as encouraging your sponsored child’s family through your letters and prayers, you can also send financial gifts to the family.
Here at Compassion, our main aim is to improve the lives of children living in poverty across the world. However, we also strive to be advocates for our children and help to raise awareness of the issues and challenges faced by children in the developing world.
Through our resources, magazine, e-news, blog and prayer updates, we help sponsors gain a real insight into what life is like for children living in poverty. We cover all sorts of topics from the major issues facing children such as malnutrition, accessing healthcare, child marriage and child trafficking to more reflective biblical perspectives on development.
Sponsorship is such a personal way to connect families across the world and is a particularly good way to encourage children to take an interest in the world around them. As they get to know their child through letters, sponsors gain a real insight into their culture and way of life. Many find themselves taking greater notice of what’s happening in the region and country where their sponsored child lives. Without even realising it, their worldview begins to widen.
Our friendly Supporter Experience Team are ready to help with any questions you might have.
01932 836490 - Our current opening hours are 9.30 to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30 to 5pm on Fridays.
Please leave a voicemail if you'd like a call back outside of this.
Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.