Lumos is the charity founded by J.K. Rowling to help protect children from institutional care.
Rowling founded Lumos in 2005, originally under the name Children’s High Level Group. The organization works internationally to end the institutionalization of children and promote family-based care, such as reunification with relatives, foster care, or adoption where appropriate. Its approach focuses on changing systems rather than simply moving children between institutions.
The charity was renamed Lumos in 2010. The name comes from a Latin word meaning light and is also familiar to Harry Potter readers as the light-producing spell “Lumos.” The charity’s name is a reference, but Lumos is a separate organization from the fictional wizarding world.
Lumos has campaigned against residential institutions for children, including orphanages, arguing that institutional environments can harm children’s development and family relationships. Its work has included research, policy advocacy, and support for reforms in several countries.