About the Children's Fund

The Children's Fund is a sustainable means of providing free and subsidised mental healthcare to the poorest children.

Alongside the development of facilities and services, Friends of Antara UK believes it is essential to ensure that the same treatment and care is accessible to all children including the most disadvantaged.

We know that many patients come from poor backgrounds:

• Over 40% of children helped by Antara are from families below the poverty line.
• Half of all patients on the Children's Ward need free or less than half-cost care.
• Many child patients rely on help from their communities or from orphanages and charities. This support is often unsustainable.
• Even the costs of transport creates barriers to bringing a child for treatment.

Case-studies demonstrate that the health of children worsens if they can't afford treatment. This in turn can make families and children poorer, so it becomes a vicious cycle.

• Children fail at school and are less likely to find a job.
• Families lose earnings caring for their child or due to stigma.
• Parents have to sell land and belongings to care for their child.
  

In 2004 'F of A UK' started a Children's Fund to increase the amount of free care that can be provided. We contribute to the fund each year and the interest it generates provides a stream of funds to subsidise treatment throughout the year. As we contribute more, this stream of funds increases. Ultimately Antara will be able to provide free care for year after year.

How you can help

There are three ways to contribute to the Children's Fund.

1) Become a Regular Giver - A contribution of as little as £3 a month can provide free care for one child.

2) Buy Antara Products  - profits from sales 'Friends of Antara UK' makes go directly to support the poorest patients.

3) Donate or fundraise for the Children's Fund - normally we direct donations or fundraising contributions to our current project or programme. However, if you feel as passionately as we do about providing free and low-cost treatment then we'll use your contribution to help subsidise child mental healthcare.

Please help us to reduce health inequalities and child poverty by ensuring every child has access to the care they need.