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What We Do
It’s Your Life is an established, highly successful charity operating from Tower Hamlets in East London. We work with children, young people and families to create a better society, where everyone, regardless of background, is encouraged to strive for educational excellence and supported to achieve this. In helping communities to achieve their full potential we look beyond the classroom. High quality teaching requires support from a stable home life, robust support networks and ample self-confidence.
Our Achievements and Outcome Journey
Short Term
Increased attendance in school.
Improved parenting skills.
Improved social skills.
Intermediate
Improved academic achievement and skills.
Improved mental health, self-esteem and resilience.
Improved relationships.
Long Term
Children and young people are less likely to be excluded from school.
Improved life chances.
Wider Impact
Parents become more self-aware and gain confidence in supporting other parents with collaborative peer support.
Families are more confident to engage with other professionals.
Social care and related costs reduced.
Reduced welfare costs.
It's Your Life - Case Studies
From Isolation
to Connection
Empowering & Supporting Families of Children with SEND
Kinship Carer
Domestic Violence
Click on a story to read
A Helping Hand
Food Poverty
Our CEO
Jackie Barnes (BEd. FRSA NPQH) founded It's Your Life in 2007 after noticing a gap in provision for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community. Jackie is a qualified Headteacher with over 30 years teaching experience and in 2009 was awarded a Sinnott Fellowship - given to outstanding practitioners who deliver outward facing schools programmes that enhance students wellbeing, aspirations and overall achievement. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, awarded for her work in education. Jackie was also Lead Community Practitioner for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and a parental engagement advocate for the National College of School Leadership. She is both passionate and experienced in working with children with social, emotional and mental health issues as well as their families.