July 25, 2026
Stronger Together: Why Coram’s Growing Family of Charities Matters for Children
Coram's welcome of Potential Plus UK is yet another powerful example of how collaboration can strengthen support for children and families.
As a Trustee of Coram Beanstalk, I have the privilege of seeing first-hand the extraordinary difference that Coram makes to the lives of children and young people across the UK. This week’s announcement that Potential Plus UK has joined the Coram family is another significant milestone, not simply because of organisational growth, but because it reflects a clear ambition to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
For almost 60 years, Potential Plus UK has been the country’s only charity dedicated to supporting children with high learning potential and their families. Its expertise has transformed the lives of thousands of children whose abilities are often misunderstood or overlooked, providing assessments, guidance and practical support that enable families and schools to help children flourish.
By becoming Coram Potential Plus, that specialist knowledge will now benefit from the strength, stability and reach of one of Britain’s oldest and most respected children’s charities. Rather than losing its identity, the charity’s expertise has the opportunity to reach many more children and families through Coram’s national infrastructure and trusted reputation.
This follows the welcome addition of Family Lives, Kidscape, Leap Confronting Conflict and the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years to the Coram Group over the past two years. Together, these organisations represent an increasingly comprehensive network of support, addressing children’s needs from the earliest years through education, family relationships, emotional wellbeing and protection from harm.
By bringing together specialist expertise under one trusted organisation, more young people will have the opportunity to thrive, whatever their circumstances or abilities.
What impresses me most is that these developments are not about building a larger organisation for its own sake. They are about creating a more connected system of support around children and families. Too often, families find themselves navigating fragmented services, repeating their stories and struggling to identify where to turn next. By bringing together charities with complementary expertise, Coram is creating a more joined-up approach that enables children to receive the right support at the right time.
As someone deeply committed to improving children’s life chances, I believe this reflects the values that have underpinned Coram for almost three centuries: innovation, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to putting children first. Whether helping a child discover the joy of reading through Coram Beanstalk, supporting families through challenging times, protecting children from bullying or ensuring that children with exceptional learning potential receive the specialist support they deserve, the common purpose remains the same.
In an increasingly challenging environment for charities, collaboration is becoming more important than ever. Bringing together complementary organisations allows specialist knowledge to be protected, shared and expanded, while ensuring services remain sustainable for the future.
Ultimately, every decision should be judged by one simple question: does it improve the lives of children? This latest step gives every reason to believe that it will. By combining expertise, strengthening services and extending their reach, Coram is ensuring that more children, whatever their circumstances or abilities, are given the fair chance they deserve.
Contact Us
For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact our Founder & CEO, Philip Nelson, via email at philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com.
Philip has over twenty years of experience in executive search and currently serves as a Trustee of Coram Beanstalk and as the Policy Development Lead for Heritage & Tourism at The Green Party.
