More than two billion people around the world lack access to basic goods and services—from clean water and electricity to an education and the freedom to participate in the economy. A new approach is needed to address the root causes of poverty and increase equity of opportunity.

Acumen is a global non-profit that invests in sustainable businesses leaders, bold and scalable ideas to combat poverty and expand opportunity. Instead of traditional charity or commercial investment, Acumen uses ‘patient capital’ which is philanthropic funding with the flexibility and long-term horizon needed to help social enterprises grow sustainably.

Through grassroots partnerships, Acumen supports entrepreneurs and ventures across key sectors including healthcare, clean energy, agriculture, financial inclusion, and education. Its vision is a world founded on dignity, where every person has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or income.

Africa Food for Thought (“AFFT”) provides food security for children, in support of education. Currently, they support nearly 43 creches and 40 families, benefitting children in the West Rand of Johannesburg, South Africa.

AFFT believes in supporting families caring for orphaned and vulnerable children. Early Childhood Development is the most important time in a person’s life and access to good nutrition and a nurturing environment are critical. By removing food insecurity, children are able to focus more on their education; significant improvements can be observed in academic, sporting and social performance.

Over 80 years of evidence from across the world has demonstrated the significant physical and emotional harm that orphanages and other institutions can cause to the children who inhabit them, despite having been set up with good intentions. Care within these spaces lacks consistency, permanency, and continuity, and often results in the children being excluded from the wider communities and lagging behind. To avoid the negative impacts of institutionalisation, children need to be placed within families or alternative family-type arrangements.

Hope and Homes for Children (“HHC”) is a UK-based organisation that works across Europe and Africa with a vision of a world in which children no longer suffer institutional care, working towards a day when every child can grow up in a loving family. It works alongside local partners, governments and civil society organisations in over 30 countries to dismantle orphanage-based care systems. The charity moves children out of institutions into family-based care, helps keep together families who are at risk of breakdown due to the pressures of poverty, disease or conflict, and works to prevent child abandonment.

Around the world, children are living with trauma and disease. The impact on their life chances can be devastating. In the Eastern Cape, where 24% of pregnant mothers are HIV positive, that impact is all the more critical. Half of all infant mortality in South Africa occurs within the first month of life. These children are exposed to HIV in utero and are at even greater risk of infection, low birth weight and infant mortality.

To improve the health and life chances of these children, studies have shown that interventions are most successful if introduced during the first 1,000 days after conception. This in the period of a child’s life that the foundations for optimum health, rapid brain growth and child development are laid.

One to One Children’s Fund aims to rebuild and transform the lives of vulnerable children. One to One identifies the greatest risks children and adolescents face and then works with partners to pilot and deliver cost-effective interventions in healthcare, psychosocial services and education. It trains and empowers people who can best fill the critical gaps in care for those children by providing relatable role models to make healthcare more inclusive.

In the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa, the Enable Project targets the most vulnerable mothers and children up to the age of five, through door-to-door visits. Local women are empowered and equipped with skills and knowledge to carry out basic health checks. These women are referred to as Mentor Mothers.

Ashoka is the world’s leading network of social entrepreneurs. Ashoka supports over 3,900 Fellows across 90+ countries, with 650 million people impacted by their work globally. Ashoka Fellows are leading social innovators, entrepreneurs whose systems-changing ideas are transforming their fields and creating lasting social impact. Since March 2024, they have been collaborating with The Seneca Trust to identify and support more changemakers working on disability innovation, mainstream inclusive practices across its global operations, and to increase visibility for disability-led solutions worldwide.

Historically, fewer than 10% of Ashoka Fellows focused on disability. To address this, Ashoka launched a strategic program to:

• Map existing disability Fellows (219 as of mid-2024).
• Increase nominations, especially from the Global South.
• Train all Venture staff—the team responsible for identifying and selecting Ashoka Fellows—in disability awareness using the BAIA (Build an Accessible and Inclusive Ashoka) framework to establish a global team to champion inclusive candidate selection.
• Launch a global communications campaign to boost visibility and outreach.
• Build and nurture partnerships with key stakeholders in the disability field.

Playgrounds across the UK are not inclusive in the way they need to be, preventing disabled children from the health benefits and socialisation that most other children and families take for granted. Making playgrounds accessible, enabling children of diverse abilities to be able to play together, promotes a healthier society for all.

Fair Play playground, opened in February 2024, was installed as a model playground for local authorities and landscape designers in the UK to be able replicate in part or in whole. It is part of a campaign for all playgrounds across the UK to become more inclusive.

The Seneca Trust, supported by Aurum, spearheaded the development of Fairplay Playground. The Seneca Trust worked with Barnet Council, North London, in February 2022 to design the playground, project manage the build and run the administration around funding and fundraising. Fair Play is one of the Borough of Barnet’s public playgrounds.

Fair Play, the first of its kind accessible and inclusive playground in the UK, has been purposefully designed to enable people of all ages and abilities to play together. It was designed in coordination with disabled residents, parents, carers and accessibility experts, and features enjoyable play equipment that everyone, able- bodied or with cognitive or physical disabilities, can use.

The playground features:

• Wetpour safety surfacing across the whole play area to ensure that it is wheelchair accessible and is not hard. There is a textured path for the visually impaired.
• Single entrance and exit to prevent users leaving without their carer’s knowledge.
• Accessible equipment allowing children of all abilities to play alongside one another. Equipment that enables rocking, swinging, spinning, climbing and sliding.
• Customised communications boards for non-verbal people, people who don’t speak the same language or have dementia. Pictures are easier to process than words. People can point to the relevant picture to communicate their wants, needs and feelings. This playground is one of the first public spaces in the UK to feature these boards.
• Accessible facilities, as well as quiet spots for downtime and fully wheelchair accessible picnic area and seating allowing families and friends to sit together.

The vision is that inclusive play will reduce stigma, through positive experiences in a society where social integration and physical fitness are important to all of us.

Many young people, especially in disadvantaged areas, lack constructive activities after school and during free time. Young people often struggle with loneliness, lack of community connection, and mental health challenges.

Unitas is North London’s largest provider of youth services, serving over 3,500 young people each year across a range of programmes and partnership. The organisation offers young people somewhere safe to go, something fun to do, and someone to talk to. By addressing these interconnected challenges, Unitas aims to empower young people, reduce youth-related social issues, and help individuals reach their full potential through comprehensive, community-centred support.

In 2024, Unitas finished the year with over 3,100 active members. young people who regularly participated in its programmes and made consistent use of its facilities.

This distinction between overall reach and core engagement highlights the dual strength of Unitas’s approach: reaching thousands while deeply supporting a committed membership base. Still, despite its scale, Unitas considers itself a ‘Best Kept Secret’ in North London, a surprising reality given its location in one of the most densely populated areas. To address this, the organisation has invested in marketing and communications to build awareness, drive membership, attendance, and facility utilisation by community groups and businesses.

The Zero Project finds and shares solutions that improve the daily lives and legal rights of all persons with disabilities. The Zero Project Technology Forum is a flagship, invitation-only event held annually in Vienna, one day before the main Zero Project Conference. It brings together cutting-edge ICT innovations with the global ecosystem of partners, investors, and stakeholders committed to advancing disability inclusion. The 2024 Forum showcased the best in accessible technology, enhancing collaboration opportunities and paving the way for broader implementation of impactful solutions for persons with disabilities.

Initiated in 2023, the Technology Forum aims to identify, support, and scale the most promising ICT-based innovations that enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. The 2024 edition took place at Unicredit Bank Austria-Kaiserwasser on 20 February, and included the following:

• 25 innovators pitching accessible tech solutions.
• Attendance from major ICT companies (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Atos, Apple), UN agencies, investors, and global NGOs.
• A mix of structured matchmaking and informal networking, with sessions designed for engagement and inclusive dialogue.

The Equitable AI Alliance (“EAIA”) was launched in July 2024 to ensure that AI development, application, and policy are equitable and inclusive of persons with disabilities. With a mission to amplify underrepresented voices in AI discourse, EAIA builds strategic alliances, delivers thought leadership, and develops resources that bridge the gap between technological innovation and disability rights.

The EAIA is guided by an Advisory Board of 18 international experts from civil society, the tech sector, and organisations of persons with disabilities (“DPOs”). This multidisciplinary group ensures that EAIA remains grounded in both technical expertise and lived experience. The Board sets strategic direction, advises on priorities, and helps shape a global advocacy agenda. Regular meetings and ongoing collaboration support a responsive, inclusive, and participatory approach to advancing disability-inclusive AI.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (“AAC”) symbols are essential tools for individuals with complex communication needs, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and other conditions affecting speech and language. Millions of individuals rely on AAC systems, from picture boards to high-tech speech-generating devices, to express themselves, build relationships, and access education, healthcare, and justice. The need for AAC symbols is especially acute in low- and middle-income countries, where awareness, resources, and trained professionals are limited.

Global Symbols was formed to support communities in creating the communication resources they need to support people with communication needs based on local language and culture. The work is based upon principles of open access, with materials developed under open source, Creative Commons, and Open Educational Resource licences. Each community served is the subject of a separate project, blending the expertise of the GS team with local knowledge and experience from within the community.

Frozen Light specialises in creating multi-sensory theatre specifically for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (“PMLD”). They develop and tour original shows across the United Kingdom to theatre venues and arts centres. The company is committed to building safe spaces for joyful sensory exploration and is working towards making the sensory mainstream and the mainstream sensory.

Frozen Light creates exciting and original multi-sensory theatre for audiences with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (“PMLD”) and tours it to theatre venues and arts centres nationwide. Founded in 2013, Frozen Light has created seven shows which have toured to over 70 venues across the UK. It strives to build safe spaces in which to take risks and transport its audiences to sensory worlds filled with awe and wonder. Frozen Light works to create theatre you can touch, theatre you can smell, theatre that happens during intimate one to one interactions and theatre that is collective.

Electric Umbrella exists to tackle the widespread exclusion and social isolation experienced by learning disabled and neurodivergent people. Despite the power of music to connect and empower, opportunities for these individuals to take the stage, express themselves creatively, and be seen as leaders remain limited. Too often, learning disabled people are passive recipients in cultural spaces rather than active, celebrated contributors.

Electric Umbrella is a charity that creates amazing, live interactive music experiences with learning-disabled people. Over the past ten years, they have run music sessions across Hertfordshire to combat social isolation and create meaningful experiences.

The charity was founded by a musician and an art therapist, who recognised there were few opportunities for learning-disabled people to take to the stage. Their core belief, in a nutshell, is that “There is No Such Thing as Normal”. Electric Umbrella seeks to create a more inclusive society, celebrating difference and inspiring community connection. They empower learning disabled and neurodivergent people of all abilities, fostering confidence, skills, and leadership potential.

Access to meaningful activities and inclusive entertainment can often be limited for learning disabled adults. Specifically, the Folk Beyond program was developed to address the need for continued multisensory folk music and dance sessions for learning disabled adults over the age of 30, as the existing Folk Unlimited program has an upper age limit of 30. This highlights a gap in provision for individuals in this age group who wish to continue participating in creative and engaging activities, a challenge that Folk Beyond seeks to resolve by providing a dedicated space and program for them.

Folk Beyond delivers creative, multi-sensory folk music and dance sessions tailored to learning disabled adults over the age of 30. Pilot sessions were run in Autumn 2024 which created a happy and inclusive atmosphere and received positive feedback from parents and carers. These sessions built on the success of Folk Unlimited and were facilitated by a dedicated tutor team.

Many children and young people with PMLD face significant barriers to accessing tailored cultural experiences. Moonbeam Theatre addresses this by creating and touring high-quality, immersive, sensory theatre directly to them in familiar, accessible spaces like schools, charities, and hospices across the UK. Their focus is on fostering cultural engagement and providing meaningful creative opportunities regardless of location or access needs, aiming to provide unique experiences and challenge societal perceptions.

Moonbeam Theatre is dedicated to delivering exceptional, accessible theatre experiences designed for the unique needs of young people aged 5-18 with PMLD. Their methodology centres on immersive and sensory storytelling, employing a variety of materials and interactions to build engaging worlds that participants can explore freely and at their own pace. Productions are developed through collaborative research and development workshops in partnership with SEN schools, integrating feedback from the children and educators. This ensures the work is deeply relevant and impactful for the target audience. The resulting sensory performances are then toured, bringing theatre directly to those who face the greatest challenges in accessing mainstream cultural events.

The Special Olympics Camden Network (“SOCN”) was established with the goal of connecting Special Olympics GB (“SOGB”) to Camden’s local intellectual disability sports offering, driving health, togetherness, and opportunity through inclusive sports.

London has the largest absolute number of people with intellectual disabilities in the UK, who experience significant health inequality. SOGB has identified London as a priority area for development, and SOCN is considered well-positioned to lead a London-wide SOGB network. The overarching strategy is to develop into SOLondon (or similar), leading the Capital’s SOGB offer. This involves running a regular, high-profile session in the city centre (specifically Regent’s Park), activating a community to drive growth and development, and deploying technology to drive referrals, streamline administration, and improve athlete and community experience.

Therapeutic riding benefits people with disabilities by combining physical, emotional, cognitive, and social support in a motivating and enjoyable environment. The horse’s movement improves balance, muscle tone, and coordination, while the experience enhances focus, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. Riders also build communication and social skills through interaction with horses, instructors, and peers. The bond with the horse offers a unique, nonjudgmental connection that promotes trust, empathy, and a sense of accomplishment.

The Stables Horse Activity Centre (“The Stables”), located in Barnet, North London, is a registered charity established in 1994. The Stables has a mission to provide therapeutic and recreational riding opportunities for individuals of all abilities, including those with physical, learning, and social disabilities.
Founded by William Marshall, the centre operates without government funding, relying on income from riding lessons, weekday sessions, and fundraising activities to sustain its operations.

The Stables is home to 22 horses and ponies of various sizes and abilities, managed by a dedicated team of four permanent staff members with the support of volunteers. The facility includes fully functioning stables, four paddocks, and a newly constructed arena, providing a safe and supportive environment for all participants.

In 1954, the Beacon Club began as a social group for people who were blind and vision impaired. It was officially established by the Bermuda Society for the Blind Act in 1957. It was officially registered as a charity in 2013 and began promoting vision health through education and offering specialised professional vision rehabilitation services to assist in promoting independence. The name was subsequently changed to Vision Bermuda to more accurately reflect the mission to serve anyone whose vision loss impacts their day-to-day activities.

Vision Bermuda is dedicated to empowering people who are blind or vision impaired to learn how to live well with vision loss. They provide a full range of specialist services and programmes designed specifically for the needs of Bermuda residents with vision impairments.

Vision Bermuda highlights that vision loss is becoming an increasing problem due to factors like the aging population and sedentary lifestyles, which contribute to diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

iheart has significantly expanded its reach and impact in supporting the mental wellbeing of young people across the UK. By prioritising resilience-building over reactive interventions, they have successfully delivered the Wellbeing & Resilience programme to thousands of students, educators, and facilitators.

iheart is dedicated to empowering young people with an understanding that they are not broken or lacking in resilience but have everything they need inside to face life’s challenges. The unique, evidence-based educational programmes have been delivered across schools, youth organisations, and community groups, fostering self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and wellbeing.

In 2024, the programme expanded its digital and in- person reach, providing essential resources and training to teachers and youth workers, who serve as first responders to children struggling with mental health issues. By equipping them with the tools to deliver resilience education, iheart is creating a self-sustaining model that benefits children long after their direct involvement ends.

There is growing evidence of the increasing complexity of needs presented by young people, including poor mental health, loneliness, lack of employment opportunities and the cost-of-living crisis. Despite the demonstrable value of arts subjects for young people, there has been a significant downgrading of the Expressive Arts within the state education system, leading to the erosion and inequality of creative opportunities over the past 14 years.

The Roundhouse addresses this by supporting young people’s personal and professional development through its creative programmes. Delivered in the Studios and the Roundhouse Works building, these programmes provide young people with the crucial opportunity to try new things, experience failure, build the confidence to try again, and develop resilience. They learn new skills across a variety of art forms, such as podcasting, music production, directing, spoken word, and entrepreneurship. Crucially, the Roundhouse leverages industry connections to give young people the chance to gain invaluable paid experience in the sector.

Digital inclusion isn’t rocket science but its impact can be completely life changing. Screen Share’s mission is to ensure every refugee in the UK has access to a connected digital device and the skills to use it to achieve their goals. They support, inform, and advocate for the digital inclusion of refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. Screen Share believes that digital inclusion is a necessary condition for creating a welcoming environment where human agency can flourish.

Screen Share addresses digital exclusion among refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, a population facing a pronounced digital access discrepancy due to financial constraints. They recognise that while structural issues affect refugees, many can be addressed by digital inclusion. Their work involves providing laptops, smartphones, internet connectivity, digital skills training, and laptop repair training.

Screen Share supports anyone in the UK with experience of forced migration, including refugees, people seeking asylum, those with humanitarian protection visas, and stateless individuals, across a broad age range and from various countries.

WindReach is unique in that it offers a variety of therapeutic and educational experiences for people with varying physical and intellectual abilities, with participants ranging from pre-schoolers to older adults. The organisation delivers evidence-based contextual learning experiences through its core programmes: Therapeutic Riding, Life Skills, Environmental Education, and Adult Day Programmes.

These hands-on activities contribute to the healthy socio-emotional, cognitive, physical, and overall wellbeing of participants.

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2024, WindReach is a fully accessible four acre facility located in Warwick Parish, Bermuda, featuring a multi-purpose Activity Centre, Animal Zone, Therapeutic Riding Centre, and a fully-accessible playground. WindReach has significantly impacted the community by expanding its programmes and fostering a nurturing environment where participants can achieve personal goals. The organisation believes that progress is measured in meaningful ways beyond just data points, including how individuals handle adversity, show kindness, take responsibility, work collaboratively, try new things, remain patient, and show empathy.

NPH Haiti is a humanitarian organisation committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and families through holistic, community-based care. Operating in one of the world’s most fragile states, NPH Haiti provides education, healthcare, and family support services, with a vision to keep children in safe, nurturing family environments and empower communities from within.

Throughout 2024, NPH Haiti’s Special Needs programme remained a vital lifeline for individuals with disabilities, even as the country faced escalating insecurity and humanitarian crises. The programme supported 53 residents across three homes, initiated the construction of a new Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre in the mountains, and expanded access to therapy, education, and community participation. From inclusive playgrounds and creative workshops to monthly church involvement and life-saving medical support, the programme centred on dignity, empowerment, and inclusion. Despite immense logistical and safety challenges, core services were sustained through the tireless dedication of staff and the unwavering support of partners. The mission continues: to create safe, meaningful, and inclusive spaces where every individual can thrive.

The International Rescue Committee (“IRC”) is a leading global humanitarian organisation that responds to the world’s worst crises, helping people to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. With a presence in over 40 countries and more than 20 U.S. cities, the IRC delivers life-saving assistance, protection, and long-term support to those affected by conflict, disaster, and displacement.

The IRC is a comprehensive humanitarian agency that works in crisis zones and host communities around the world. Its programmes address a wide range of urgent needs including healthcare, education, safety and economic wellbeing. The IRC also provides critical support for resettlement and integration for refugees in the United States and elsewhere. In addition to its field work, the organisation engages in evidence-based policy advocacy and systems change to influence how humanitarian aid is delivered globally.

Our Second Home (“OSH”) is tackling the deep-rooted challenges faced by young refugees in the UK. These include social isolation, trauma, language barriers, and a lack of belonging. In a national climate that often marginalises them, OSH offers transformative experiences through residential trips, youth hubs, mentorship, and leadership training that empower young people not just to survive, but to thrive.

OSH is a peer-powered youth movement that supports young people from refugee backgrounds (aged 14-18) to build lasting relationships, gain leadership skills, and create a thriving community. By providing the tools to develop strong relationships, gain critical life skills, and envision a hopeful future, OSH is helping young refugees turn displacement into strength, and a new country into a true second home.

The Purple Vest Mission is a global initiative launched in March 2022, aiming to ensure that people with disabilities and the elderly are not left behind during emergencies. The mission focuses on providing accessible evacuation, humanitarian aid, and support for individuals who choose to remain in place during crises. Through training, coordination, and direct assistance, the Purple Vest Mission strives to create inclusive emergency preparedness worldwide.

The Purple Vest Mission addresses the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities and the elderly during emergencies. The mission provides customised training for organisations, municipalities, and individuals on how to offer emergency services in an accessible manner.

The mission gained prominence during the war in Ukraine, where many individuals with disabilities and the elderly were left behind due to inaccessible evacuation processes. In response, the Purple Vest Mission facilitated over 3,996 accessible evacuations and provided supplies to more than 10,000 people in Ukraine. The initiative also received support from The Nippon Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel, and the Accessibility Accelerator from the USA.

Refugees at Home is a UK charity dedicated to addressing the urgent issue of homelessness among refugees and asylum seekers. Many individuals fleeing war, persecution, and violence arrive in the UK seeking safety, only to face the risk of sleeping rough due to a lack of accommodation options. The charity’s mission is to ensure that every refugee and person seeking asylum has access to a safe place to stay, providing them with stability and a chance to rebuild their lives.

Refugees at Home operates by connecting individuals with a spare room in their home to refugees and asylum seekers in need of temporary accommodation. Through a thorough vetting process, Refugees at Home matches hosts with guests, offering support and guidance throughout the hosting period. This initiative not only provides immediate shelter but also fosters long-term relationships, helping refugees integrate into their new communities.

Médecins Sans Frontières (“MSF”), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is a leading international humanitarian organisation founded for emergency medical aid. MSF provides emergency medical assistance to populations affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. MSF operates in over 70 countries providing relief to the victims of war, natural disasters and epidemics irrespective of race, religion gender or political affiliation.

MSF has operated in Sudan for over 45 years, adapting its approach to deliver life-saving care in one of the world’s most complex humanitarian environments. In 2024, as conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces intensified, MSF maintained a steadfast presence, guided by its core principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

MSF used a flexible, decentralised approach, running fixed and mobile clinics across 11 states. This allowed rapid response to shifting frontlines, while local partnerships ensured continuity of care in hard-to– reach and high-risk areas.

Throughout these operations, MSF maintained its principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence, ensuring that aid was delivered based on need alone.

War Child is a global charity dedicated to protecting, educating, and advocating for the rights of children affected by conflict. Operating in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, War Child provides essential services such as education, psychosocial support, child protection, and livelihood assistance.

Established in 1993 in the UK, War Child has grown into a global network comprising organisations in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and the United States (operating as Children in Conflict). In 2024, these organisations formed the War Child Alliance, a collaborative effort to enhance the impact of their programs and advocate for children’s rights in conflict zones. The War Child Alliance focuses on integrating efforts, sharing resources, and empowering local leadership to address the needs of children affected by war.

World Central Kitchen (“WCK”) is first to the frontlines providing meals in response to crises. WCK sees firsthand the destruction and strain disasters inflict, and they know that a hot plate of food provides nourishment, hope, comfort, and dignity during challenging times. By applying the model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 450 million nourishing meals around the world.

To enable their work, WCK establishes Relief Kitchens and partners with local restaurants and community organisations. WCK adapts continuously to meet the unique needs of each community, navigating obstacles with innovation. Their Emergency Response Teams are positioned strategically and led by local “Food Fighters” in places like Ukraine, highlighting communities as their superpower.

The Baby Ubuntu programme focus on providing early care and support for young children with developmental disabilities and their families to thrive. The programme emphasises the importance of engaging with its wide community of children, caregivers, families, and providers, ensuring that their voice remains at the heart of the programme. This includes raising awareness of the lived experience of caregivers and families caring for children with developmental disabilities. It also focuses on empowering individual carers by providing them with practical skills and helping them to better understanding their child’s condition. At the same time, the programme promotes acceptance and inclusion within communities, and is delivered as an early-intervention, community-based model.

‘Ubuntu’ is the African philosophy of togetherness and is deeply rooted within cultural concepts of community and humanity. LSHTM has designed the ‘Baby Ubuntu’ programme which is implemented across Uganda by Adara see the following page for further information.

The programme aims to help caregivers understand their child’s disability, such as a neurodisability and provides them with practical skills to help care for the child.

It is estimated that globally 53 million children live with a disability, with 95% living in low- and middle-income countries with little access to specialist services. It is vital that we raise awareness about disability at all levels, supporting individual carers to be empowered to better care for their children, promoting acceptance and inclusion at a community level and lobbying for community- based rehabilitation services to reach families in rural areas globally.

‘Ubuntu’ is the African philosophy of togetherness and is deeply rooted within cultural concepts of community and humanity. Adara implements the ‘Baby Ubuntu’ programme in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (“LSHTM”) see the previous page for further information. This is an early- intervention, community-based programme that supports children aged between six months and four years with a disability and their caregivers. It ensures caregivers understand their child’s disability and provides them with practical skills to help feed, communicate and play with the child.