Recent Grants: Thank You to Housing Plus Group and Shropshire Community Foundation.
In December, we were incredibly grateful to receive a £2,000 grant from Housing Plus Group to support us with the financial demands of moving into our own premises.
The support enabled us to invest in essential health and safety work on site, and fund marketing materials to improve our visibility.
The funding also supported the wellbeing of our incredible team. We were able to purchase practical items to improve day-to-day comfort, including kitchen appliances for our space and fleeces to help keep our volunteers warm while working in the warehouse during the colder months. These small but meaningful additions make a big difference to our day-to-day operations.
Our partnership with Housing Plus Group goes beyond funding. Their Money Matters team already works closely with Little Stars, helping to identify and support tenants who may be struggling to afford essential items for their children. This joined-up approach ensures that families receive timely, practical support when they need it most.
Sam Hine, Social Value and Inclusion Manager at Housing Plus Group, shared:
“Our Money Matters team is already linked with Little Stars, and when I met Leanne and she talked me through their aspirations and the move into the new building, it just felt like an obvious choice to support them.
They’re making a real difference for people who live in our homes, so supporting their work made perfect sense. We hope our support will make a meaningful difference to anyone in need and help ease the pressure for those who may be struggling.”
We’re also delighted to share that our Baby Essentials Project has received a £3,000 grant from the Shropshire Community Foundation NFU Mutual Fund.
The cost-of-living crisis is severely impacting the vulnerable families we support including those in severe financial hardship, at risk of neglect, victims of domestic abuse, and refugees. Soaring energy and food costs are pushing household budgets past their limit which is leaving more children without the essentials they need.
This grant will help us respond to the increasing demand for our services and be well-positioned to fulfil all referral requests, providing tailored support with the appropriate items for each family’s unique needs.
The Baby Essentials Project addresses urgent hygiene and food poverty by supplying essential items for the youngest children: nappies, wipes, toiletries, and infant formula.
Providing infant formula is particularly crucial. Without it, parents may be forced to ration or dilute it, which can lead to serious health risks. By supplying these essential provisions, we equip parents and carers with the resources they need to feed their babies, keep them clean, dry, and comfortable, and prevent health issues like nappy rash or illness caused by poverty-driven rationing.
We are proud to work alongside organisations like Housing Plus Group and Shropshire Community Foundation that understand the importance of community support. Their contributions are helping us build stronger foundations, reach more families, and provide the essential items children need to thrive.
As we settle into our new home and expand our services, these partnerships ensure that Little Stars can continue to make a meaningful difference for families facing hardship.
