Think Children - A Brief History

1981 - Founded

As the Juvenile Treatment Unit. Groups for juveniles in trouble aged 10-16 ½ yrs run by volunteers under the guidance of a group leader who was either a Probation Officer or Social Worker.

1984 - Charity registration

As the Juvenile Support Agency. Continues to work in same way but at some stage numbers start to decline until charity is moribund.

1991/92. - Turn around

A new project leader is recruited as a turn-around agent. The JSA is resuscitated and refocused on children 8-14 yrs.

1992/93 - Evaluation

Parents request earlier intervention. “Nobody wants to know till it’s too late!”

1994/95 - Innovation

1:1 sessions introduced. Evening sessions held using trained volunteers.

1995/96 - Pilot Studies

Schools request one-to-one work. Piloted in two schools in Newark and Sherwood.

1996/97 - Scale-up and name change

The charity becomes renamed as Think Children. Work extended into 7 schools. A new constitution no longer restricts us to Newark and Sherwood.

1998/99 - Reviewed by Social Services.

Given a glowing report. "There is nothing else offered to equal this service"

1999/2010 - Rapid growth

Extend work to Mansfield, Ashfield, City of Nottingham & Bassetlaw. Our training is accredited with North East Midlands Open College Network (2001). We are commissioned by North Notts CAMHS from 2007. Worked with 682 children in 2009/2010.

2012 - Became an incorporated charity

We are now a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England & Wales No:7952016 and a new charity registered no: 1146301

2018 - Awarded PQASSO Quality Mark at Level 1

Months of hard work resulted in being awarded the prestigious PQASSO Quality Mark, which is the only sectoral quality mark that addresses all the essential areas necessary for the effective management and governance of a charity or other third sector organisation.