Supporting Vulnerable Families Across Shropshire – Our Latest Grants
Thanks to the generosity of local communities and funders, Little Stars has recently received several grants that will help us continue supporting babies and children across Shropshire through our core services.
As a charity supporting families during times of poverty, crisis, and hardship, this funding allows us to respond to growing demand and ensure children have access to the essentials they need to be safe, warm, and cared for.
Each grant plays a vital role in helping us deliver practical support to families, making a real and lasting difference at some of the most challenging moments in their lives.
Household Support Fund – Winter Essentials Project
We’re thrilled to have received £4000 from the Household Support Fund which will be used to provide vital resources through our Winter Essentials Project.
This project will help ensure children in vulnerable families, unable to provide seasonal clothing and accessories vital to the health and wellbeing of their children, receive the support they need. For each child referred to us, they’ll receive items unique to their needs, with the objective of keeping them warm and comfortable throughout the winter months.
Our goal is to help protect children from the harsh effects of cold weather and prevent avoidable illnesses. Beneficiaries of this project will cover newborns up to teenagers and include items such as winter coats, puddle suits, umbrellas, gloves and hats, dressing gowns, bed socks and pyjamas, winter sleeping bags, wellington boots, snowsuits, cellular blankets and pushchair rain covers.
The funding will also enable us to provide thermometers to families with babies and young children to help them identify high temperatures and treat viral infections with efficiency and have improved awareness and understanding to know when to seek urgent medical advice.
Co-op Community Fund
A huge thank you to Co-op members who voted for our Community Project! We’re delighted to announce that, thanks to your support, we’ve been awarded a grant of £2,715.84.
This funding is vital to helping us combat hygiene poverty and providing the basic items, babies, children and families require such as nappies, wipes, toiletries and sanitary products.
In 2025 alone, we provided 215 nappy bundles and 356 toiletry packs for children and adults. Each nappy bundle includes 2 – 6 packs of nappies depending on the size, nappy cream and baby wipes. Toiletry packs include items such as toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, baby wash, shampoo, baby bath, sanitary items, maternity pads, breast pads and nipple cream for pregnant women.
For families struggling with the rising cost of living, these basic items are often difficult to afford. Without support, parents may have to ration supplies or go without, causing discomfort for babies and young children, or leaving teenagers and adults feeling self-conscious – which can impact social skills and mental health.
This funding will enable the ongoing provision of these crucial essentials to vulnerable families and individuals throughout the County.
Leeds Building Society – Safe and Secure Project
We are also pleased to announce a grant of £1,000 from the Leeds Building Society Foundation/Small Grant Programme for our Safe and Secure Project.
This project will support the babies and young children referred to us by frontline professionals such as health visitors, social workers and family support workers because of concerns about their safety within the home.
Single parents and families with young children are among the hardest hit by financial pressures and are key beneficiaries of this project.
Our support provides vital relief at a time when many are struggling to meet even their most basic needs. We receive at least one request per week from our referral partners for essential safety items such as stairgates – basic equipment that can mean the difference between safety and serious injury. A single stairgate costs £25, but wider gates, often needed as new homes are designed with wider doorways and open plan living are significantly more expensive.
This funding will help us meet the growing demand for our service, providing items that cannot be accepted second-hand and ensuring children are protected from avoidable accidents at home.
Tesco Stronger Starts – Project Nighttime
Finally, we’re delighted to share that Little Stars has been awarded £1,000 through the Tesco Stronger Starts Scheme to support Project Nighttime, which helps ensure babies and children have a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
This funding wouldn’t have been possible without the support of local Tesco shoppers. Every vote in Shrewsbury stores over the summer made a real difference. It will allow us to continue providing essential nighttime items such as cots, mattresses, and bedding to families across Shropshire.
We’re so grateful to Tesco, the Stronger Starts Scheme, and our local communities for helping us reach families when they need support most.
These grants represent more than funding – they represent warmth, safety and reassurance for families during some of their most difficult moments. From winter clothing and hygiene essentials, to home safety equipment and safe sleeping spaces, each project helps ensure children across Shropshire have what they need to thrive.
We are incredibly grateful to every funder, organisation, and community member who makes this work possible. Your support helps us reach families when they need it most, and together, we’re creating a stronger, safer start for babies and children across our county.
