Donate Menu

How We Share Children's Stories

Toybox knows how important it is for you to hear the stories of the children you have supported, as well as those children who are still living or working on the streets in precarious situations. Historically we have told stories on children’s behalf using their information and permission, because they trust us, and our partners, to share their lives with you. We know it takes a great deal of courage for most children to share their stories and experiences. They have trusted us to represent their lives and realities ethically, truthfully and sensitively.

We are confident that we have respected children’s rights, dignity and realities in our historical communications, but going forward we want to be even better by addressing the balance of our storytelling. Inspired by the [Dignified Storytelling Principles], we are excited to be moving into a space where Toybox’s communications will be a platform on which children have the opportunity to tell their own stories, with their own words or through their own creative expression, as well as through more traditional storytelling approaches.

Children will be more involved in the telling of their stories through participatory storytelling techniques which will put them in charge of the information which is shared and the narrative which is constructed around them.

We are taking ourselves out of the storytelling process when appropriate and handing the microphone over to children, their families and communities. Our aspiration to be a leading expert in ethical storytelling practice, is a high bar for us to aim for. We recognise there will be times where we fall short, but we promise to acknowledge these situations, learn from them and do better next time.

This is our promise to you and the children we work with in how their stories will be shared:

  • Children’s stories will always be shared truthfully, without exaggeration or embellishment.
  • Informed consent will be gathered through processes that focus on conversations first and form-signing second. In cases where this is not possible (e.g. in emergency relief situations, large events etc.), we will do our best to anonymise people who appear in content or choose to use content that only shows those who have given consent.
  • Children’s names will be changed in order to protect their identity. Except in an instance where a child has requested otherwise.
  • In cases where children have experienced extreme situations, abstract imagery and information will be used so they cannot be identified, to keep them safe and prevent further risk and/or exploitation.
  • We will never use information or images that only tell one side of a child’s story or reduce their life story to one experience. We will always aim to represent children as a whole person rather than just based on one situation they encounter.
  • We will continue to work on providing children will opportunities to tell their own stories and share their experiences in ways that inspire them and allow them to use their skills and creativity.
  • We will share final content with children so they can see how their story has ultimately been shared. This will be sent to partners in a timely manner after campaigns launch.
  • We will ensure children, parents and caregivers are aware of how they can withdraw consent for using their story if they so wish