Port of Tyne pledges support to tackle child poverty across the North East
The Port of Tyne is the first to join the fight against child poverty with support for new parents.
The Port of Tyne has pledged its support to help tackle child poverty in the North East as it makes to a commitment to the Children’s Foundation's Baby Box programme.
The programme aims to help more babies across the region get the best possible start in life.
The Port’s donation marks the first investment from a commercial business to the North East Mayor’s Fundamentals Fund and will see more baby boxes being distributed to first time parents.
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: “It’s so important that we break down the barriers that poverty creates, and we cannot start early enough.
“As part of our £28.6m Child Poverty Action Plan, we’ll be delivering a new grant for pregnant mams, helping parents with the cost of childcare and expanding baby box deliveries, and that is just the start.
“But we can’t tackle child poverty alone, and we need the region to rally behind our plan to deliver what our young people need.
“I’m extremely grateful the Port of Tyne are playing their part to end poverty so every child gets the best start in life.”
The baby boxes are funded by the North East Mayor’s Fundamentals Fund and aim to alleviate the immediate pressures of having a baby.
The Port’s investment enables 120 additional Baby Boxes to be distributed to first-time parents across Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
Matt Beeton, CEO of the Port of Tyne, commented: “We’re proud to play our part in supporting the communities we serve.
“Partnering with the North East Combined Authority and the Children’s Foundation allows us to help families at a really important time and ensures more babies have the best possible start in life.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to children, young people and communities across the North East, and shows how collaboration can create a positive and lasting impact for the region.”
The Baby Boxes focus on baby development and are packed full of enriching books and toys as well as including essentials like a changing mat, bath towel and a first toothbrush.
Families are referred to the scheme by their midwifery team and are typically first-time parents who may need some extra support.
Sean Soulsby, CEO of The Children’s Foundation, has highlighted how important the Port’s help is to providing these Baby Boxes across the region.
He added: “Every Baby Box is about giving a baby in the North East the best possible start in life, and giving parents a moment of reassurance at what can be an overwhelming time.
“The Port of Tyne’s support will help more first-time families get the developmental resources and essential items they need in those first 1,001 critical days, while also reinforcing the message that no parent should feel alone in those early weeks and months.
“They say charity starts at home, the North East is our home.
“It’s incredibly inspiring and encouraging to see large scale North East businesses like the Port of Tyne, alongside other partners such as Stiller Warehousing and Distribution, getting behind this project and playing a practical role in tackling child poverty.
“We would welcome conversations with other businesses across the region who want to be part of this collective effort to improve early years outcomes and help more babies thrive.”
You can find out more about the projects in the North East Child Poverty Action Plan by visiting: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/child-poverty-reduction-unit.
Support your Shields Gazette and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day.
With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.