Celebrating the first World Children’s Day

This week – on 25 May – it will be the first World Children’s Day.  Recently instituted by Pope Francis, it will involve the participation of children from all over the world.

At Caritas Salford, we work closely with children from a wide range of communities across Greater Manchester and Lancashire – from supporting them via our School Service team to providing them with a safe, secure place to call home at our Young Parents’ Accommodation; working alongside families experiencing poverty or food crisis, to supporting refugees and asylum seekers as they settle into their new home, and so much more too. 

We believe that all children, whatever their background and whatever community they are from, deserve to be safe, supported and in an environment in which they can thrive. A place free from discrimination and somewhere they can be secure and happy. 

In his recently published book ‘Life: My story through history’, Pope Francis said: “Children, with their innocence, can teach us a lot, especially in these times of war.  This is one of the reasons why I wanted to create a World Day dedicated to them – so that they could be our principal “allies” in the search for peace.

“With their pure and simple hearts they tell us so much, mainly because they are already educated in peace at school.  Every time I come into contact with them I go back to being a child myself a little, in my heart, and I forget all the difficulties and arguments that come up as I carry out my duties.” 

This first World Children’s Day, we too keep in our hearts and thoughts those children suffering in our diocese and also around the world due to poverty, discrimination, isolation, war, hunger or thirst. 

In our charity, we see first-hand every day the amazing resilience and determination of children and young people across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.  Some we support in our front-line services, while others are fantastic Caritas Ambassadors or members of their school and community groups who take action in their local area or fundraise to improve the lives of others. 

We can only continue our work supporting children and young people thanks to the kindness of people across the diocese who share our work, make donations, and – most importantly – take action to bring about change and end poverty and discrimination where they live.  Thank you for all you do. 

To find out more about the services we provide for children, young people and families, visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/how-we-help/children-young-people-families/