Care sector professionals, Avnish and Anita Goyal have joined John Caudwell’s Life Changers Circle, an international network of humanitarians who have each committed £1million to support disabled and autistic children.

Avnish Goyal is chair of Care England and founder of Hallmark Care Homes. Anita Goyal is a philanthropist and author who spent 20 years as a teacher before adopting a role within the family foundation tackling female genital mutilation, discrimination and human trafficking.

The Life-Changers Circle was established in 2020 by Caudwell in a bid to create a global network of like-minded philanthropists working together for a common goal. Membership to the network requires a commitment to donate £1million to the charity, Caudwell Children, with eight inductees already signed up to the pledge.

Caudwell Children provides practical and emotional support for autistic and disabled children which has provided support worth £85 million for more than 65,000 children with 700 different medical conditions.

In 2019 the charity launched the Caudwell International Children’s Centre, an independent purpose-built facility for the assessment, support and research of autism.

Caudwell said: “My vision for the Life Changers Circle was to bring people together who were at different stages of their philanthropic journey, to learn from each other and enjoy each other’s company. Avnish and Anita have already done so much through their foundations and their work in the care sector, it is a real honour to welcome them to the group. Their commitment to Caudwell Children will ensure thousands of disabled and autistic children have access to vital services for years to come and the opportunity to reach their full potential, we are truly grateful.” 

Avnish Goyal said: “We are delighted that the Hemraj Goyal Foundation is supporting Caudwell Children and its valuable work transforming the lives of disabled children and their families. Joining John Caudwell’s Life-Changers Circle will enable us to provide long-term support for the Children’s Centre and build networks with other philanthropists to raise awareness of the Hemraj Goyal Foundation’s own work with children and young people facing disadvantage. Together we are stronger and can do more to improve life for every child and family, now and in the future.”