Little Village

Today is the UN’s International Day of Zero Waste - and our Director of Operations, Emily Compston CMgr FCMI summed this week up beautifully ♻️👇

50,000 more children will be pushed into relative poverty by benefit cuts according to new figures released in the last couple of days - a record high. This isn’t just struggle - it’s a crisis. The government must stop crawling on child poverty. Families need action NOW.   How can you help?  📢 Share this and help demand change 👕 Tap our link in the first comment to donate, volunteer, or learn more about how you can help   (Ps. Did you know we have a regular newsletter? Join it for updates.)    #PassItOn #EndChildPoverty

1 in 3 children in London are living in poverty - in some boroughs this percentage is even higher, and in the words of Sophie Livingstone MBE, our chief executive, "the latest cuts to welfare announced in today’s Spring Statement are yet another blow to some of the UK’s most vulnerable families. In 2024, demand for support once again exceeded our capacity to respond. "It offers little hope to parents who are struggling to afford the basic essentials for their children, and who are already rationing nappies and diluting formula to help make ends meet. "We urge the government to put children first in its spending plans,” said Sophie. #SpringStatement #SpringStatement2025 #ChildPoverty

Every day, in countless small and significant ways, our village is making a real difference in the lives of families. Rooted in genuine partnership and a personal touch, baby things are making a big impact, which is truly remarkable. Our hearts are so full as we look back on another year at Little Village, and we’re just beaming with pride at what we’ve accomplished ✨together✨. In 2024, thanks to your incredible support, we responded to 6,660 requests, touching the lives of 7,325 precious children. And because many families needed us more than once, we were able to provide support a staggering 9,269 times. We’re so grateful for every single one of you who made this possible. Yesterday, we held our impact report event to celebrate what we’d achieved and look ahead to how much more needs to happen to help families in need. The undoubted star of the show was CeCe who told the room about her story. 💕 #BabyBanks #LittleVillage #London

With the London Landmarks Half Marathon Limited fast* approaching (6th April) we thought we'd catch up with one of our runners, the lovely Charlotte Copp-Ganley, to see how training was going and why she wanted to do a half marathon: "I wanted to push myself this year to do something I’ve never done before. I enjoy running casually (and slowly) but have never done a long distance race before so wanted to test my physical and mental stamina. Racing on behalf of a great charity has given me another reason to push through and make it a success! "My friend works at Little Village so I’ve heard about all about the great work the charity does and wanted to help spread the word and show my support. "Training was going well, I’ve had a quad injury the past couple of weeks but have rested, seen a physio and it seems to be healing. I want to get in one more long run before the big day!" Thank you so much - every step counts towards providing essential items for babies and toddlers in need - go team Little Village!! We can't wait to cheer you on!! Drop a comment below to cheer our half-marathoners on! * pun intended 😉 #LondonLandmarks #HalfMarathon #LittleVillage

Motherhood? It's a journey best shared. We believe every mum deserves a supportive village, a community that lifts them up. This Mother's Day, let's be that village! (It's not too late to donate few toiletries/treatments to one of our hubs.) Let's show these amazing women they're never alone. ** Tag a mum who inspires you and tell her why she’s amazing. ** #MothersDayMagic #VillageOfSupport #ConnectedMums #LoveInAction

Yesterday was Global Recycling Day, but at Little Village it's not just a one-day a year celebration, it's at the heart of everything we do 365 days a year. Generous donations of pre-loved baby clothes and equipment not only brighten the lives of local families, but also make a real difference for our planet. ♻️ It’s such a beautiful thing to extend the life of such briefly used baby essentials, sharing the love and usefulness when passed onto another loving home. Knowing you’re helping reduce waste, conserve resources, and most importantly, helping parents in need with essentials that help their family thrive is so special. They say it takes a village - we’re so grateful you’re part of ours! 💕 #SustainableLiving #PrelovedWithLove #EcoFriendlyFashion

Join our Village: Safeguarding and Family Insights Manager Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and supporting the wellbeing of everyone in our ‘village’ is something we’re deeply committed to. As our Designated Safeguarding Lead, you’ll make sure any safeguarding concern – whether involving a family, staff member, volunteer, or visitor – is handled with compassion and professionalism. 🕰️ 35 hours per week, but we’re open to discussions about flexibility 💸 £39,000 FTE per annum 📍 Home based with regular visits to sites Learn more & apply here: https://lnkd.in/gFSh5DD6 #CharityJobs #Safeguarding #SocialWork

Meet Gemma, one of our Referral Officers - she so kindly shares her passion and inspiration as one of our amazing villagers: 🎥 (Transcription below: “I started with Little Village in 2020 and I have held many roles in that time. A memory that really stands out for me is the week after Afghanistan was evacuated, we received a call from a hotel in central London who was housing dispersed families. They had approximately 150 children who had arrived with only the clothes on their backs, most of them in the same clothes for weeks. We were deep in lockdown and all the children, and their families were restricted to their individual rooms for quarantine. Our team arrived at the hotel at 5am to list the details of the children. A call to arms was announced and within a few hours, dozens of volunteers, staff and their children arrived to help. Staff from across London arrived, packed, sorted, collected, made tea! Those who could not be there in person opened their homes for donations and by the end of the day, our CEO Sophie delivered 150 bundles to that hotel. I have never been prouder of any team I’ve ever been on. When my daughter was born, she struggled to latch. She cried the whole first night in that maternity ward. I heard the midwives discussing the mother in the bed opposite me, they were trying to source essentials for her. She’d given birth to her second child but had nothing for them, arriving from Syria only weeks before her due date. In the middle of the night, this mother approached me while I despaired over my unconsolable newborn. She offered support and comfort, and I thought to myself, how terrified she must have been to be in a new country, new language with a new baby and nothing prepared. And yet she still showed me compassion and care. In my current role I help provide emergency newborn essential packs to hospitals across London (including the one I delivered in) so that mothers in the same situation will be gifted a bundle of clothing and nappies (and Love), along with a leaflet which tells them they aren’t alone, and that Little Village is there to help. Outside of my Little Village life I am an avid crocheter and member of the local tug of war team 2 years running.”)

Did you know we have a collection service? Donate your great quality, gently used cots, buggies, and more! We'll pick them up from your doorstep for just £30 and give them to families in need. You can truly help to change a family’s life. Book your London collection https://lnkd.in/gET4C4BW today. We cover: Central, North & West London 📍Barnet 📍Camden 📍Haringey 📍Hackney 📍Hammersmith & Fulham 📍Islington 📍Kensington & Chelsea 📍Westminster South & City of London 📍City of London 📍Lambeth 📍Lewisham 📍Merton 📍Richmond 📍Southwark 📍Tower Hamlets 📍Wandsworth