11,500 babies and young children supported in 2025

During 2025, Little Village supported a record 11,500 babies and young children as rising child poverty fuels unprecedented demand. With hundreds of the parents we support telling us that they cannot afford even the basics for Christmas, let alone gifts, we launch an appeal to help ensure children have the essential items they need this festive period.

Nearly one in four parents (23%) told Little Village that they are deeply worried about affording festive fundamentals such as gifts or decorations. Rising living costs mean many families can no longer cover essentials – 81% of parents supported by our baby banks say they can’t afford warm clothes for their children, and almost two-thirds are worried about heating, food and nappies.

Across the UK, 4.5 million children – one in three – are living in poverty. In London alone, the figure stands at around 700,000.

In response, Little Village is urging the public for cash donations to help the charity reach more babies and children with winter bundles of warm clothes, blankets plus festive goodies like pyjamas, toys and books, and gifts to open on Christmas Day.

Sophie Livingstone MBE, Chief Executive of Little Village, said: “Supporting over 11,500 babies and children this year highlights both the frightening scale of hardship and the positive impact of community support. Every week our baby bank teams meet parents in tears because they’ve skipped meals or sat in the cold without heating so their children can have something under the tree. No parent should have to face choices like these and by coming together we can spread some comfort and joy by helping to reach more families with a beautiful winter bundle.”

Sara, a mum of two from Camden, shared how Little Village stepped in during one of the hardest moments of her life: “I suddenly found myself alone with my two small girls in a cold flat just before Christmas. I had no job, no money and felt ashamed to ask for help. When Little Village called, it was the first time in a long time, I felt seen and heard.”

“When I opened the package, I couldn’t believe they had thought of everything – warm winter clothes, essentials like baby wipes and even beautiful toys. As I wrapped the presents, I felt the biggest sense of relief. The worry of having nothing to give my girls had been a huge knot inside me.”

“On Christmas morning, my daughters were so excited when they found their gifts under the tree. We felt safe and taken care of. It meant everything to me. When you give to Little Village, you may think it’s a small gesture – but it had a massive impact on me and my family.”

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