My Action for Children (beta)

Frequently asked questions

My Action for Children and Action for Children

What is My Action for Children?

My Action for Children is a new website that lets you help transform life for disadvantaged children all over the UK. You decide where and how your gifts are used. And you’ll see how your kindness is helping in emails from the projects you support.

You can buy specific items for a project or choose to support a particular area of work – like our projects with disabled children, for example. You can even sponsor your local Action for Children project.

In short, My Action for Children is whatever you decide to make it.

What is Action for Children?

Action for Children is a national charity delivering services that respond to the local needs of children, young people, their families and communities. Read more about our work at www.actionforchildren.org.uk

What’s the difference between giving to My Action for Children and Action for Children?

My Action for Children lets you choose how and where you help the UK’s most vulnerable and neglected children and young people. If you make a donation through the Action for Children website, your gift will be used where it is needed the most.

Why does Action for Children need my support?

Action for Children promises to be there for the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people, for as long as it takes to make a difference to their lives. We run around 480 projects across the UK and they are all desperately in need of funding. That’s why we really need your support.

Who can I talk to if I want to find out more about My Action for Children?

You can email, call or even write to us with any questions you have. Email us at my@actionforchildren.org.uk or see all our contact details here.

Projects & funding

Will 100% of my gift go to the project I choose?

The price that appears next to an item does include a 9.8% fee, which we need to cover additional costs such as payment charges, delivery, installation and maintenance. This fee also covers the costs of coordinating thank you and update emails to donors who have supported a particular project or activity.  Any money left over from this fee will be used to support projects that we find particularly difficult to fund. Find out more here.

When will my project receive my gift?

As soon as your chosen project reaches its funding target, it will be able to access the money.

When will the funds leave my account?

For donations made online, funds will either leave your account the next working day, or shortly after.

What happens if my chosen project costs less than budgeted?

If price fluctuations mean your chosen project ends up costing less than we originally budgeted, we’ll get in touch straightaway. You’ll be given the chance to use any excess funds to help a similar project, you can let us use your money where it is most needed, or you can have your gift refunded.

What happens if my chosen project costs more than budgeted?

During the time it takes for a project to become fully funded, it’s possible that the pricing may change – VAT increases being a good example. If this happens to one of your projects, we will continue to raise the extra funds needed to reach the new target.

What happens if the fundraising target for my chosen project isn’t reached?

We will do everything we can to ensure this doesn’t happen. However, if you have given to a project that after 12 months proves impossible to fund in full, we’ll contact you to let you know. You’ll be given the chance to fund a similar project, you can let us use your money where it is most needed, or you can have your gift refunded.

What happens if the fundraising target for my chosen project is exceeded?

It’s highly unlikely. However, it is possible that during the processing of a cheque we have received to support a particular project, you also choose to support that project through the My Action for Children website. If this happens, we’ll contact you straightaway. You’ll be given the chance to fund a similar project, you can let us use your money where it is most needed, or you can have your gift refunded.

What happens to my gift if a project has to close before the funding target has been reached?

Sometimes we have to close projects for reasons beyond our control. If this happens to one of the projects you are supporting, we’ll contact you straightaway. You’ll be given the chance to fund a similar project, you can let us use your money where it is most needed, or you can have your gift refunded.

Can I support my local project with a regular gift?

Yes, absolutely. You can sponsor a My Action for Children project in your area and help us give local vulnerable children and young people the long-term support that will change their lives. Just search for a project near you, click through to read more about that project, and then click the ‘Sponsor us’ button.

Can I use money I have raised through sponsorship to donate to a specific project?

Yes, you can. When you check out, you’ll be asked how you raised the money for your gift, so tick the ‘Sponsorship’ box.

Can I give anonymously to a My Action for Children project?

Yes, of course. You will need to create an account to send your gift, but during the simple registration process, you can choose how much information you wish to be public.

Can I give using PayPal, Just Giving or Virgin Money Giving?

Not yet, but we are hoping to launch this in the future, if you think it would be useful – you can feedback your opinion here.

Can I send in a cheque rather than paying online?

Yes, of course. Please send your cheque, stating clearly which project you are supporting, to: Action for Children, 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford WD18 8AG. If you are a UK taxpayer and would like to increase the value of your donation through Gift Aid, please click here to download a form and send in with your cheque.

What if my cheque arrives after the project I have chosen reaches its target?

We’ll contact you straightaway. You’ll be given the chance to fund a similar project, you can let us use your money where it is most needed, or you can have your gift refunded.

How do I cancel my direct debit?

If you wish to cancel your direct debit, simply contact us by phone, email or letter:

Telephone: 0300 123 2112
Email: my@actionforchildren.org.uk
Postal address: Action for Children, 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford WD18 8AG

Project feedback

Will I receive an acknowledgement of the donation I’m making?

Yes, you will receive email confirmation of your gift. We will also email you when the project you are supporting is almost funded (80% of the target has been reached) and again when your project has reached its funding target. You’ll then receive an email from your project to say thank you and explain how your gift is making a difference.

If you would prefer to receive written confirmation of your gift, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to oblige.

How will I be kept up to date about the project I’m supporting?

We will email you when the project you are supporting is almost funded (80% of the target has been reached) and again when your project has reached its funding target. You’ll then receive an email from your project to say thank you and explain how your gift is making a difference.

Your account

How do I create a My Action for Children account?

Creating a My Action for Children account is quick and easy. In the top right of the homepage, you’ll see an option to ‘Register’. Click this link and follow the simple instructions that will take you through the registration process.

I have recently registered. Where is my confirmation email?

If you have registered, but have not received a confirmation email from us check the spam or junk folders in your mailbox. If your confirmation message is there, make sure to label my@actionforchildren.org.uk as a legitimate address in order to receive emails into your inbox in future. If your confirmation is not in your junk/spam folder, email my@actionforchildren.org.uk or call 0300 123 2112 for further help with registration. We apologise for any inconvenience.
 
What if my details change?

You can change your details online by signing in and then clicking on ‘My account’, which you’ll find at the top right of every page – just above your name. Once there, you’ll find clear links to update your details – including email address, home address and contact details. If you have any problems, please contact us.

How do I change the email address on my account?

Once you’ve signed in, click on ‘My account’, which you’ll find at the top right of every page – just above your name. You’ll find clear links to update your details – including your email address.
 
I forgot my password, how do I change it?

If you arrive at the sign-in page and have forgotten your password, simply click on the ‘Forgotten password’ link and enter your email address. You will be sent an email with a link to reset your password.
 
How will you protect my personal information?

We are committed to protecting your privacy and use a secure server when you make a donation on our website. To find out more, read our privacy statement.

Gift Aid

Can My Action for Children claim Gift Aid on my donation?

Yes, definitely. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can Gift Aid your donations to us.

What is Gift Aid? 

The government operates a scheme called Gift Aid, which allows charities to claim back 28p in tax for every pound that is donated to them. So a gift of £100 from you will actually be worth £128 to us – without costing you a penny more.

Action for Children can claim Gift Aid tax relief of 25p on every pound you give. HMRC will also be operating transitional provisions for Gift Aid donations made from 6 April 2008 until 5 April 2011, paying a government supplement of 3p on every pound you give. Please note that council tax and VAT do not apply.

You can read more about the Gift Aid scheme here.

Miscellaneous

Can I visit the project I have donated to?

We are happy to organise visits to our projects. However, we have to put the safety and privacy of children and young people first. So for this reason it may not always be possible. Please contact us and we can organise a visit – if not to your chosen project, then to a similar one.

If I can’t afford to make a donation, can I volunteer with Action for Children?

Yes. We’re always looking for helpful and reliable volunteers, no matter how much or how little time you’re able to spare. There are lots of ways you can get involved in your local community. Take a look at our volunteering section to see how you can help.

Why does the word Beta appear on the website?

My Action for Children has just been launched and it is currently a Beta version, which means we’re still working on developing and improving the website. We would love to hear any suggestions you might have to make this site better, so please contact us here with your thoughts.

Can I donate items through the My Action for Children website?

Not at the moment. But please get in touch and let us know what items you would like to donate, so we can help you find the best way to get those items to us. You can send us an email at this address my@actionforchildren.org.uk.

Can I organise an event to raise money for My Action for Children?

Absolutely. Please contact us and we’ll do all we can to help you manage your event.  

What is Action for Children’s policy on safeguarding children?

Action for Children holds the safety of children central to all that it does. Any information that relates to safeguarding will be shared with the appropriate Local Authority Children’s Services or the Police.

Can I tell my friends and family about the project I’m supporting?

Please do! We’d love you to tell family and friends about the wonderful work you are helping to make possible. Just use the Twitter, Facebook and share links you’ll find on all confirmation pages and emails.

Can I tell people about the project I’m supporting on Facebook and Twitter?

Please do! Each My Action for Children project has requested Twitter and Facebook links to make it easier for you to tell your family and friends all about them.

Funds explained

Projects apply to take part in My Action for Children when they require items that wouldn’t be funded in any other way. Every project that appears on the My Action for Children website is essential to the valuable work we do.

Costs explained

The price that appears next to an item includes a 9.8% fee, which we need to cover additional costs such as payment charges, delivery, installation and maintenance. This fee also covers the costs of coordinating thank you and update emails to donors who have supported a particular project or activity.  Any money left over from this fee will be used to support projects that we find particularly difficult to fund.