One million children under four in poverty

Kirsty Lowe, co-founder and chairwoman of MammaKind baby bank (covering Greenwich and Lewisham), said of the JRF annual poverty report: That one million children under the age of four are living in poverty is deeply worrying.

The early years form the platform from which children can lead successful lives.

For young children trapped in long-term poverty the gap between failure and success can often be too great to overcome.

Many families basic needs are not being met.

Where wages are low and needs are high. In many cases, the delay in the benefits system penalises those with considerable need.

Extreme poverty is on the rise and families have started to feel hopeless.

Families are not choosing between buying nappies or baby wash. They can’t afford either.

And necessities have become ‘nice to have’ with increasing numbers of families presenting with a winter clothing deficit and bed poverty.

Baby banks including MammaKind provide hope. We give families a pause from their troubles and a chance to think about their next step.

For example, if you are not worrying where the next nappy is coming from you have head-space to take action.

Kirsty Lowe,
co-founder and chairwoman of MammaKind

Picture Pixabay / Design_Miss_C