Fusion21 Foundation-funded maternity packs help Little Village give newborns the right start in life

The Fusion21 Foundation is delighted to be providing £105,000 funding to London charity Little Village to help support its maternity packs project.

New parents face many challenges in the early days of their baby’s life, but they shouldn’t have to worry about having the essentials they need to care for them.

However, with an estimated 1 million children living in poverty in London, many parents are in need of emergency packs containing great quality, pre-loved clothing and nappies.

The maternity packs project aims to provide a more consistent supply of these items to maternity units across the capital, boosting health and wellbeing as well as helping those who would otherwise be financially excluded.

This means midwives can quickly and easily ensure that new parents have the essentials they need for their baby on-site. Those receiving these packs include homeless mothers, asylum seekers, or those affected by domestic abuse.

Since it launched in 2016, Little Village has supported more than 38,000 babies and children under five with essential items such as clothes, nappies, toys, books, buggies, and beds. Each week, the number of requests for Little Village’s help exceeds its capacity and when its referral lines are open, they receive a request for help every 45 seconds

Jo Hannan, Head of Fusion21 Foundation, said: “We’re proud to be contributing to Little Village’s hugely important and impactful maternity packs. This funding will ensure that families in need of support will have the essentials their babies need to thrive.

“As a foundation, we’re passionate about making a positive difference in people’s lives – and this initiative has resonated with our funding priorities of health and wellbeing, and financial inclusion and resilience.”

Sophie Livingstone, CEO at Little Village, said: "The demand for support from our baby banks never fades and every day, parents tell us about the impossible choices families are having to make like rationing nappies, watering down baby formula so it stretches further or not being able to afford a winter coat.

“Too many families with young children are struggling to survive so we thank the Fusion21 Foundation for their amazing support. The maternity packs will provide a ray of light for families at a time when they really need our support.”