Lumos, formerly known as the Children’s High Level Group, is a charity chaired by author J. K. Rowling.[1]
In 2005, Emma Nicholson and J. K. Rowling joined forces to address the problem of institutionalised and disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe. Together they formed an English charity (the Children’s High Level Group) and a Romanian charity (the Asociatia Children’s High Level Group).[1]
In January 2010, Emma Nicholson resigned as Co-Chair of the board of the English charity. She continues as Chair of the Romanian charity (the Asociatia Children’s High Level Group), in which capacity she is furthering the work she began there and directing its resources to existing and new projects. The other board members of the Romanian Charity are Simona Andrei, Professor Kevin Browne, Mariela Neagu, Aneta Popescu-Black, Jonathan Scheele, Anthony Steen, Alin Teodorescu and Ion Tiriac.
The English charity was re-launched as ‘Lumos’. The name Lumos comes from the spell in the Harry Potter books, which causes a small beam of light to emit from the spell-caster's wand.
Lumos (registered charity number 1112575) is working to transform the lives of disadvantaged children. It aims to end the systematic institutionalisation of disadvantaged children across Europe and instead see children living in safe, caring environments. Its Trustees are Kazem Behbehani, Bryan Ellis and Roger Singleton.[2]
The charity is currently working on projects in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary and the Republic of Moldova.[3]