Little Village makes a big difference to families with babies and young children living in poverty across London. Via our network of 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.
Families either visit a Little Village hub, or items are packed with care and delivered to their home. But it doesn’t stop there. We also connect families into a wider network of support, helping them to build and extend their own ‘village’. And we raise our voices for change; sharing the stark realities of too many children’s lives in London.
Thanks to the generous donations of loved items, precious time and money, since we launched in 2016, Little Village has supported more than 32,000 children.
Our values of love, solidarity, thriving and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do.
Little Village is operating in an environment of significant and frightening need from families with babies and young children. Poverty in our capital is both growing and deepening. Essentials are becoming unaffordable for more and more families, and many are facing complete destitution.
We have grown to be one of the largest networks of baby banks in the UK, supporting more than 32,000 children since we launched in 2016. Families are referred to us from across the capital via over 2,000 professionals such as midwives and social workers.
The impact Little Village has on individual families’ lives is huge. But this impact doesn’t stop with one individual. The help we provide – sharing essential items and connecting families to a wider network of support – catalyses a chain reaction: sharing, reusing, connecting which helps families, our volunteers and referral partners, and helps our planet. Together with all the members of our “Little Village”, we are proud to be making a big difference.
Read our latest impact report to find out more here
You may be interested in giving your time and bringing and developing your skills and experience by volunteering at Little Village if you are passionate about tackling child poverty and motivated by Little Village’s values of Love, Solidarity, Thriving and Sustainability and believe in our model of bringing families together to help each other.
No formal skills are required and you will receive a full induction and any necessary training.
If you are looking to develop or use any of the following skills then you may enjoy one of our volunteering opportunities:
- Teamworking
- Communication
- Organisation
- Eye for detail
- Driving (not for all roles, but we do have specific driving opportunities for those who enjoy that!)
Little Village is what it is today because of our community-based, volunteer-led approach. We simply would not be able to do what we do without an incredible team of volunteers who give their time to ensure we can help as many families as possible. In 2023, 1,024 volunteers collectively gave over 34,000 hours of their time to support us. We offer a range of volunteering roles, both at our sites and from home.
Our Opportunities
Our Baby Bank Helpers support families during their visit to Little Village. At one of our busy sites, they help families choose items their children will love. Volunteers also help to sort, check and prepare gifts of pre-loved donations.
Our volunteer drivers bring joy in a box to families across London. Delivering essential gifts of clothing and toys, prams and cots, you will be handing over immediate relief to families living in poverty.
Keen to volunteer, but don’t have the time each week? Join us at one of our One-off Volunteering Days. Help us spread love and kindness to children living in poverty in London.