Thousands of desperate parents are being forced to use “baby banks” to feed and clothe their children. Even working mums and dads, struggling to make ends meet in austerity Britain, are turning to the charities which operate the same way as food banks. Latest figures show so far this year more than 35,000 families have accepted handouts of basics handed in by the public – from cots and buggies to nappies, wipes and bottles. They include mum-of-two Bianca, 37, who said: “For me as a working mum it’s dehumanising to have to survive off the kindness of strangers. “I’m a full-time employee working my backside off as well as a mother. I feel embarrassed to have to seek support like this.” The scandal of the growing numbers of families turning to baby banks is highlighted in a TV investigation. Users include women fleeing domestic violence, families affected by the Universal Credit fiasco, single parents and homeless people. Labour MP Frank … [Read more...] about Thousands relying on “baby banks” to feed children as poverty hits Brits
Feed children
£1m pledged to help Mary’s Meals feed children in Malawi
News / Scotland by Press Association September 27, 2018, 1:13 pm FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter A Scottish charity is to receive more than £1 million of public money to feed children living in poverty in Malawi. Mary’s Meals has been pledged the funding as part of an agreement between the two countries’ governments. The announcement came as Scottish International Development Minister Ben Macpherson was welcomed to Mpangweni Primary School in Dowa by pupils. He said: “I’ve just seen the remarkable difference Mary’s Meals is making here in Malawi, feeding more than a million children thanks to contributions from across Scotland, including from the Scottish Government. “It’s been wonderful to see the difference that a nutritious daily meal in school, provided by Mary’s Meals, is making towards helping young people in Malawi to get the best from their … [Read more...] about £1m pledged to help Mary’s Meals feed children in Malawi
Online giants are feeding children ‘social heroin’, warns former Google Design Ethicist
Social media is like “heroin” for children but Silicon Valley engineers don’t realise as they’re largely in their 20s and childless, Google’s former Design Ethicist has claimed. Tristan Harris, who left the company in 2016, said that social media companies should have to demonstrate their apps are safe for children, in an interview with The Telegraph. The 34-year-old, who was recently in the UK advising the government, said the country could also be ‘a model’ for the world if it gets social media regulations right. Last week it emerged the government has started drafting proposals to regulate social media and tech companies. The Telegraph is campaigning for a statutory duty of care on social... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium article … [Read more...] about Online giants are feeding children ‘social heroin’, warns former Google Design Ethicist
Shock as parents can’t afford to feed children over school holidays
Cash-strapped parents across Nuneaton and Bedworth needed more help to feed their children over the school summer holiday compared to anywhere else in Warwickshire. Shock figures have revealed that more than half of the households who applied for the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme during the school summer break last year were from the borough. In fact, of the 72 households helped by the county-wide scheme, 30 were from Nuneaton and 12 were from Bedworth . The Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme was set-up to help the most vulnerable residents at times of unavoidable crisis and provides emergency food parcels or with credit for energy. It has been stressed that there are no cash payments. “We recognise some families eligible for free schools meals struggle financially and have difficulty covering the period when their children are off school during the school holidays,” said a spokesperson for the scheme. “The scheme is, therefore, an opportunity to reach and help … [Read more...] about Shock as parents can’t afford to feed children over school holidays
Dumbarton volunteers to help families feed children this summer
Big-hearted volunteers are launching a community breakfast club to tackle ‘holiday hunger’. The Ben View Resource Centre in Dumbarton is behind the Rise n’ Shine programme — which will help desperate families struggling to feed their children during the school holidays. It means any youngsters who need it will be fed a hearty breakfast at least two days a week during the summer break. The centre announced the plan on social media, as well as a plea for funding from local businesses. And manager Alison McCurley has told how she was left in tears by the huge reaction. She said: “Breakfast sets you up for the day and it’s so important that children have access to it but that’s sadly not always the case. “Many of us take it for granted and I think it’s easy to forget how important a small thing like breakfast can be for people. “We know holiday hunger is a big issue, especially in this area. “With the summer holidays … [Read more...] about Dumbarton volunteers to help families feed children this summer