John Lyon's Charity

John Lyon's Charity, rooted in a 1572 Royal Charter by Harrow School founder John Lyon, advances educational and social opportunities for children and young people, fostering inclusive personal development and reducing persistent disadvantage in local communities. Its values emphasize stewardship, sustainability, transformative systemic change, collaborative partnerships, and evidence-led impact, believing long-term equity arises from empowering grassroots organizations with core support, capacity building, and infrastructure development to drive social mobility and holistic wellbeing.

It prioritizes education including supplementary schools and SEND support for children aged 5-25 with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, physical disabilities, and complex health needs; youth clubs and after-school programs promoting leadership, mentoring, and employability skills; mental health and emotional wellbeing services via counselling, therapeutic activities, and peer support groups addressing anxiety, isolation, and trauma; holiday hunger relief through enrichment clubs, food provision, and play schemes combating food insecurity; arts, culture, and creativity initiatives like music therapy, drama, and cultural access building confidence and inclusion; disability support encompassing respite care, inclusive sports, and sensory activities; and crisis responses such as recovery programs for affected youth. Interventions favor community-led, preventative, person-centred, trauma-informed approaches enhancing educational outcomes, physical wellbeing, community engagement, and resilience for disadvantaged, marginalised, and diverse young people up to age 30 with special needs.

Exclusions encompass capital projects outside beneficiary communities, activities not directly aiding children and young people, and organizations lacking local track records. Distinctive for championing North and West London youth infrastructure like Young People Foundations and Cultural Capital Funds, it uniquely targets grassroots charities delivering sustained, collaborative change for resident or engaged children facing inequality, prioritizing evidence-based, partnership-driven models over short-term aid, with a holistic focus on family-impacted SEND youth, holiday enrichment, and mental health prevention.