The family support charity Family Lives is today (1 April 2026) joining the Coram Group, and will now operate as Coram Family Lives.
Formed more than fifty years ago by volunteers with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reached crisis point, Family Lives remains true to that mission today. Some 100 staff and 150 volunteers offer families support with issues that include family breakdown, challenging relationships and behaviour, and emotional and mental wellbeing.
Coram Family Lives will be continuing all its existing programmes, supporting thousands of families through its helpline, online advice and in-person support and gaining from the expertise and infrastructure of Coram.
Coram is the first and longest serving children’s charity in the UK and today combines the expertise of a range of specialist organisations all working with children and young people and supporting hundreds of thousands of children, young people and families every year.
There is strong alignment between the two organisations, with Family Lives services representing a perfect fit with Coram’s work as the country’s largest charity provider of legal advice, information and support on child and family law, adoption and creative therapies.
Coram Family Lives will also work to contribute to the development of better research, policy and practice for parents/carers, children and young people, notably through the Coram Institute for Children, the only independent research organisation in the sector.
The organisation will continue its mission under the supervision of its continuing board but benefitting from shared support services, premises and infrastructure, ensuring resources are directed to supporting children and families.
Dame Carol Homden, Coram CEO, said: “The pressures upon families have never been greater and 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 so we can create better chances both for children today and the next generation.”
Jeremy Todd, Family Lives CEO, said: “This marks an important and hopeful step forward for the families we exist to serve. 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. Together, we bring complementary expertise, shared values, and a deeper national reach — ensuring that more children, parents, and carers can access the right support, at the right time. We are proud of Family Lives’ legacy and excited about the greater impact we can now achieve as part of Coram.”
About Family Lives
Family Lives was formally registered as a charity in 1999, operating under the name of Parentline Plus. The charity’s original formation as Parentline was founded in response to a tragic child abuse case in 1973, of a young girl who was killed by her stepfather. The parents who founded Parentline believed that there needed to be a dedicated organisation supporting parents, before they reached crisis point which could result in abuse.
A merger in 1999 between the National Stepfamilies Association, Parentline and Parent Network built on the collective experience of these three charities, to provide a range of national and local services to support parents and families across the country.
Today, Family Lives supports thousands of families through our range of national and local services. We reached over 36,000 families through our helpline and in person services last year and provided advice and support to many thousands more through our website and online resources.