Little Village Brent

The Pitch

Problem statement

They say it takes a village to raise a child. And while raising a child is never a small feat, for many in London the pressures are multiplied. Essentials are unaffordable. Friends and family might not be close by, or able to help. 800,000 of London’s children live in poverty – that’s more than a third, and is the highest rate in England. Furthermore, the increasing proportion of children living in deep poverty is especially stark: London has the highest destitution rates in the country, defined as lacking access to essential basics such as food, shelter, heating, clothing, footwear or toiletries.

Solution

At Little Village, we’ve taken a simple idea that’s growing into a big difference. At the heart of our work, is the opportunity to pass loved baby goods from one family to another. Baby clothes, children’s toys, beds, buggies. Sharing essentials. Sharing understanding. We call this a baby bank. In our high street hubs dotted around London, and through our home deliveries, items are packed by our village of volunteers, with love, care and attention. And conversations are packed with kindness, respect, trust. But it doesn’t stop there: we connect families into a wider network of support. And we raise our voices for change; sharing the stark realities of too many children’s lives in London.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Little Village is the largest baby bank in London. Since 2016, we have supported more than 32,000 babies and children under five with essential items such as clothes, nappies, toys, books, buggies, and beds. Last year alone across London, and powered by 34,072 hours gifted by our 1,000-strong village of volunteers, we collected, sorted, packed, and passed on: - 15,000 pairs of small shoes now helping to take big steps, - 7,000 coats to keep children cosy and dry and - nearly 2,000 safe places to sleep – so everyone in the family can rest more soundly.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

20 people

Who will benefit

Expected impact

Almost 90% of families last year told us they would not have been able to afford to buy all the items that they received from Little Village. In the words of one mum: “It’s a really good thing what you are doing, it’s like recycling ... I sometimes give to some mums I know, they are in need also so I pass things to them. Mums at baby club, mums in the same situation, so I always offer.” Sharing essential items goes beyond simple material provision. A mum told us after support from Little Village: “Becoming a twin mum with a toddler singleton was huge shock. My anxiety level rocketed. Finding out about Little Village and getting the support really saved my mental health. Knowing that there is someone to help and provide all these necessary items for free was just a present sent from heaven.”

Track record

Apart from the items that must be bought new, such as mattresses and bottle teats, the majority of what we gift to families are donations passed on to us from other families whose children have grown out of them, in addition to excess stock from various brands and companies. In 2023, we gifted 142 tonnes worth of items to families, which may otherwise have ended up in landfill – a carbon emissions savings equal to taking 43 cars off the road for a year. We also make it easy to donate pre-loved items, hosting 179 pop-up or regular donation points – in corporate offices to local schools who want to support us - last year. To provide holistic support to families, our Family Connections Team was in touch with families almost 6,000 times, helping them to feel part of the Little Village community, supported, and getting many to connect to other vital services, such as mental health professionals and debt counsellors.

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