What was the original name of J.K. Rowling’s charity Lumos?

The original name of J.K. Rowling’s charity Lumos was the Children’s High Level Group.

Rowling co-founded the organization in 2005 with politician and physician Emma Nicholson. Its early purpose was to improve conditions for children in institutional care, especially in countries where children could be separated from families because of poverty, disability, or inadequate social services. The group sought practical and political change rather than simply providing short-term relief.

In 2010, the organization changed its name to Lumos, a reference to a wand-lighting spell in the Harry Potter books. The new name was intended to be memorable while keeping the charity’s focus on ending the unnecessary institutionalization of children. It is important to distinguish this origin from Rowling’s later public role as president of Lumos: the charity’s formal history begins under its earlier name.