J.K. Rowling founded Lumos in 2005 to support children in institutional care.
The organization was originally established as the Children’s High Level Group. Rowling became involved after reading about children living in institutions and wanted to promote family-based care and better protection for children. The charity later adopted the name Lumos, referencing the light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books.
Lumos campaigns against the unnecessary separation of children from their families and works with governments and communities to replace large residential institutions with family and community-based services. Its focus extends beyond simply providing facilities: it advocates changes in social care systems so children can grow up in safe family environments whenever possible.
The organization is separate from Rowling’s personal charitable trust, Volant Charitable Trust. Lumos also differs from Comic Relief and other British charities that support children through broader fundraising programs. Its name connects to Rowling’s fiction, but its work concerns real-world child welfare and institutional reform.