MK Council helps Baby Basics charity to 100th new-born gift package

A charity based at a community warehouse funded by Milton Keynes Council has distributed its 100th new-born gift package and provided essential items to more than 1,300 vulnerable children this year.

Baby Basics MK has been working out of the Council funded warehouse in Kiln Farm since March 2021, after MKC secured a five-year lease at the site. The Council’s aim was to provide greater financial security to local charities including Baby Basics, MK Food Bank and St Marks Meals.

Baby Basics MK and its team of volunteers support local families in need by providing items like clothing, toys and essential equipment for children, young people and babies. They also distribute new-born gift packages to help parents set up home for a new-born, which includes, clothes, essential equipment and a safe place to sleep.

Clothing charity MK Storehouse also makes use of the Kiln Farm warehouse. Ahead of the new school year, more than 550 children and young people made use of an item of donated school uniform through the MK Storehouse, which had all been cleaned and laundered by MK Council’s Adult Social Care Laundry Service.

Last year MK Council released the findings of its Child Poverty Commission which found that almost 23,000 children and young people in Milton Keynes are living in poverty. The Commission helped the Council identify specific projects that would challenge child poverty by providing real practical support through community groups and local charities.

Cllr Jane Carr, Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequalities and Child Poverty said: “We’re committed to doing all we can, working with fantastic local partners, to drive down rates of child poverty in Milton Keynes. We’re pleased to be able to support MK charities like Baby Basics and the MK Storehouse by covering the costs of leasing a warehouse for them to use, allowing them to concentrate all their efforts on continuing to deliver their excellent work.”