J.K. Rowling founded Lumos to help children separated from their families and promote family-based care.
The organization was established in 2005 under the name Children’s High Level Group, after Rowling became concerned about children living in institutions. It was renamed Lumos in 2010, taking its name from a light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books.
Lumos works internationally to replace institutional care with systems that support children in families and communities. Its work has included advocacy, research, and partnerships intended to prevent unnecessary separation from parents or relatives.
A common mix-up is assuming that Lumos is primarily a general children’s hospital charity. Its defining focus is the deinstitutionalization of children and reform of care systems, especially for vulnerable young people.