Barnardo’s Partnership
Since 2018, Barnardo’s and IKEA have worked together through a national partnership to help improve the lives of children and young people facing the biggest challenges across the UK. Bringing together IKEA’s expertise in life at home and Barnardo’s 155 years of experience supporting young people, the partnership focuses on creating stability, opportunity and a sense of belonging.
Every year, over 10,000 young people leave the care system, often without a family network and at risk of isolation, poor mental health and unstable housing. Through this partnership, IKEA and Barnardo’s work to support young people at key transition points in their lives, helping them develop independent living skills, build confidence and access safe homes, work opportunities and long-term support.
Together, we aim not only to improve outcomes for young people today, but to help create lasting change in the systems that support them.
The JOBS Project: Opening doors to work and opportunity
For many young people, finding work can feel out of reach. Leaving care, poor mental health or a lack of opportunity can make taking that first step difficult.
With IKEA’s support, Barnardo’s delivers the JOBS Project, helping young people prepare for work, build confidence and access paid employment. The programme offers training, ongoing personal support and paid placements within IKEA stores. This combination helps young people not only gain skills but also feel valued and included in the workplace.
In 2025, the programme supported 46 young people across England. Over 91% of participants progressed into paid placement with IKEA, demonstrating a strong pathway from training into employment. Once in placement, 98% were sustained, highlighting the effectiveness of the in-work support offered. After the programme, 10 young people secured employment with IKEA, with others moving into positive destinations beyond the programme. Young people reported increased confidence, improved life skills and a clearer sense of direction for the future.
The JOBS Project: Opening doors to work and opportunity
For many young people, finding work can feel out of reach. Leaving care, poor mental health or a lack of opportunity can make taking that first step difficult.
With IKEA’s support, Barnardo’s delivers the JOBS Project, helping young people prepare for work, build confidence and access paid employment. The programme offers training, ongoing personal support and paid placements within IKEA stores. This combination helps young people not only gain skills but also feel valued and included in the workplace.
In 2025, the programme supported 46 young people across England. Over 91% of participants progressed into paid placement with IKEA, demonstrating a strong pathway from training into employment. Once in placement, 98% were sustained, highlighting the effectiveness of the in-work support offered. After the programme, 10 young people secured employment with IKEA, with others moving into positive destinations beyond the programme. Young people reported increased confidence, improved life skills and a clearer sense of direction for the future.
GAP Homes: Bridging the gap between care and independent adulthood.
Leaving care can be a challenging step. GAP Homes are designed to help young people move into independent living with the right support in place.
Each GAP Home is a purpose-built, self-contained home for young people leaving local authority care. Young people live independently while having access to consistent wraparound support from Barnardo’s services, helping them build everyday life skills and confidence for the future
IKEA has supported GAP Homes since 2018, working with Barnardo’s to help turn empty properties into safe, practical homes for young people leaving care. By sharing design expertise and donating furnishings, IKEA helps create calm, functional spaces where young people can settle, learn everyday living skills and feel secure.
This support has helped Barnardo’s deliver GAP Homes across different parts of the UK and continues to support new homes in development. Together, IKEA and Barnardo’s are helping create stable, supportive environments that give young people a stronger foundation for independent adulthood.
GAP Homes: Bridging the gap between care and independent adulthood.
Leaving care can be a challenging step. GAP Homes are designed to help young people move into independent living with the right support in place.
Each GAP Home is a purpose-built, self-contained home for young people leaving local authority care. Young people live independently while having access to consistent wraparound support from Barnardo’s services, helping them build everyday life skills and confidence for the future
IKEA has supported GAP Homes since 2018, working with Barnardo’s to help turn empty properties into safe, practical homes for young people leaving care. By sharing design expertise and donating furnishings, IKEA helps create calm, functional spaces where young people can settle, learn everyday living skills and feel secure.
This support has helped Barnardo’s deliver GAP Homes across different parts of the UK and continues to support new homes in development. Together, IKEA and Barnardo’s are helping create stable, supportive environments that give young people a stronger foundation for independent adulthood.
The Motherwell Group: Supporting young parents to feel confident at home
In Lanarkshire, the Motherwell Group supports care experienced young parents and their children, helping them feel more confident, connected and supported. The group offers a safe, welcoming space where families can build relationships, develop life skills and spend positive time together.
With IKEA’s support over the past three years, Barnardo’s has been able to sustain and strengthen this work through funding, product donations and practical support. Families take part in regular group sessions and activities that help reduce isolation, build confidence and strengthen relationships.
As part of this support, 30 care crates were provided to families, containing essential household items such as bedding, crockery and everyday home essentials. For many, this support helped ease financial pressure and made setting up a safe home more manageable
“I am extremely grateful for the items from IKEA and would struggle financially to purchase these items.”
Barnardo’s. Changing Childhoods, Changing Lives
Barnardo’s is a UK children’s charity working to change childhoods and change lives. They support children and young people who face the toughest challenges, including poverty, poor mental health, leaving care and barriers to education and employment. Their focus is on helping children feel safer, healthier, happier and more hopeful about their futures. They work directly with families, communities and partners across the UK to provide practical support and opportunities where they are needed most.
Barnardo’s. Changing Childhoods, Changing Lives
Barnardo’s is a UK children’s charity working to change childhoods and change lives. They support children and young people who face the toughest challenges, including poverty, poor mental health, leaving care and barriers to education and employment. Their focus is on helping children feel safer, healthier, happier and more hopeful about their futures. They work directly with families, communities and partners across the UK to provide practical support and opportunities where they are needed most.