A children’s charity has become the latest organisation to join the national Coram network, with 100 employees transferring.
Family Lives, registered as a charity in 1999 under the name Parentline Plus, joined the Coram Group today, with its 150 volunteers also transferring to the historic organisation founded in 1739.
It will continue to provide family support services as Coram Family Lives.
Jeremy Todd, Family Lives chief executive, said: “By joining the Coram Group, Family Lives is strengthening its ability to provide early support, trusted relationships, and practical help at moments when it matters most.”
Coram CEO Carol Homden said: “It is our vision that Coram Family Lives will make an even bigger difference at national and community levels, whether through direct services, or in the development of better policy and research.”
This comes after 40-year-old children’s anti-bullying charity Kidscape announced it had merged into the Coram Group in late January while Leap Confronting Conflict joined the national organisation last year.
History of the charities
Parentline, which became Family Lives, was formed in 1973 when 8-year-old Maria Colwell was killed by her stepfather.
It was formed as a dedicated charity to support parents before crisis point thereafter.
Family Lives was created in 1999 after the National Stepfamilies Association, Parentline and Parent Network merged.
The charity recorded an income and expenditure of £2.29m in the year ending 31 March 2025, with £1.05m from 13 government grants and £1.07m from six contracts.
It has seen a steady income decrease in recent years from £3.01m received in 2020-21.
Coram was established as the Foundling Hospital in 1739 and has since become a group of charities, which includes Coram Life Education and CoramVoice.
The central charity recorded a total income of £27.6m in the year to 31 March 2025, marginally below its expenditure.
Its income from government contracts has almost doubled since 2022-23, from £4.98m to £8.79m in the most recent financial year.
