Need
help?

Little Village makes a big difference to families with babies and young children living in poverty across London. Via our network of a baby banks we pass on loved goods from one family to another – clothes, toys and equipment – so that many more babies and young children have the essential things they need to thrive.  ​

​​If you are new to Little Village, please read our full referrals policy here. ​

You can also read our frequently asked questions here ​​

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Who can refer to Little Village?

Families are referred to us via a network of over 2,000 professionals such as midwives and social workers. We accept referrals from professional and voluntary organisations working with families in an official capacity.  We do not accept self-referrals, or referrals for family and friends. We are also able to accept referrals from local mutual support groups and community support groups but will ask for additional registration details from you if you do not have an organisational email address

Please note that due to high levels of demand we have had to introduce a daily cap on the number of referrals we can accept. The form will be opened at 9.30am each working day and once this quota has been met the form will close and reopen again for referrals at 9:30am the next working day. ​

​If the form is currently closed, please check back here the following working day at 9.30am.  ​

Refer a family

What can Little Village Provide?

We can provide clothing and shoes (up to age 5), essential baby equipment — including a safe place to sleep for a baby/child, bedding, a sling, a buggy, feeding and bathing equipment, toys and books, nappies and wipes — for any children under 5. Our items are second hand except for mattresses, bottle teats, breast pumps, nappies and toiletries which are all provided brand new.

Please note we don’t provide formula or baby food, car seats, maternity wear, monitors, sleeping pods such as sleepyheads and dockatots, white goods or nursery furniture, clothes for older children.

All items are delivered safely and directly to the family’s home or families can chose their items from one of our high street hubs, depending on their location.

We support families from

We only accept referrals for families with children up to the age of 5 years or mums 30+ weeks in to their pregnancy who need support and live in one of the boroughs listed below.

Please use this link Find your local council – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and simply type in the family’s postcode that you are supporting to find their local authority.

If you are unsure as to whether a family qualifies for support, we would always recommend reading the Referral Criteria section of our Referrals Policy. You are also very welcome to discuss any concerns with us directly. If you are still unsure, we are happy for you to use a ‘reasonable doubt’ assessment of need, meaning in the absence of evidence of the family’s situation, the judgment of the referrer can be used to put the family forward.

 

Brent
Camden
Greenwich
Hackney
Haringey
Hammersmith & Fulham
Islington
Kensington & Chelsea
Lambeth
Lewisham
City of London
Merton
Southwark
Tower Hamlets
Westminster
Wandsworth

Other resources:

FAQs

How does a family get an appointment to attend one of your hubs to choose their items?

Depending on the postcode of the family, at the end of the referral form, you will be given the opportunity to book a family in to visit one of our high street hubs to choose and take away their items. You can either opt to book an appointment on behalf of the family or the family can book one themselves. If you choose the option for the family to book their own appointment, they will receive a booking link via SMS and email. If a hub visit is declined e.g. mum is heavily pregnant and unable to travel, family live too far away then a delivery can be made instead.

 

How do I know if I am completing the form right and what should I include?

The form is straightforward to use however these top tips below may help you complete it more accurately, (please note if we don’t receive accurate information on the form, we will be unable to process the referral):

  • Remember to double check that the family’s contact details are correct, the address is very important as we may be delivering via a courier. The address needs to be in a clear format and you will be prompted with an address look up function:

House / flat number and street name

Town

Postcode ( in CAPs)

  • Please fill out an individual entry for EACH child under 5 that requires support (use the +add additional child button) otherwise we will only pack for one child
  • Don’t forget to include an estimated due date for an unborn baby so we can establish how urgent the request is
  • Please consider the kit you are requesting reflects the current needs of the child e.g. a moses basket is for under 3 months
  • Due to our limited quota for daily referrals, requests for single or limited items such as nappies or wipes or just toys and books will unfortunately not be accepted
  • Please consider whether the kit you are requesting is needed over the next three months. Don’t forget you can re refer a family every 3 months if there is still a need
  • We have recently reduced the amount of information required to be submitted on the form to save referral partner’s time. We will only be asking about clothes and large kit items such as beds and buggies on the form. Additional items such as feeding, weaning, washing and sleeping equipment will be confirmed directly with the family at either a shop appointment or on the telephone. So there is no need to include these on the form
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