‘Even with both parents in work, some families can’t afford the basics – they are fighting to survive right now’

Packing up donation boxes for families in need at the Little Village hub in Brent, Michelle Heaton appears overcome with emotion.

As she sifts through the tiny sleepsuits and fluffy toys, she takes a pause and leans forward to offer Renata, the site manager, a hug.

‘I don’t know what I expected today but this place is so much more,’ she explains, wiping her tears. ‘You’re not just giving families what they need but what they want. It gives them pride, dignity and love.’

Little Village is a baby bank network based in London that aims to support families with children under five living in poverty. Launched in 2016, the charity operates on a referral basis from health care professionals but has sadly seen the demand for help soar in recent years as the cost of living crisis plunges more and more families into financial struggle.

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‘We have seen a big rise in the need for help,’ Renata tells Michelle. ‘As a network, we don’t have the capacity to cover all the referrals from families that we get. People are struggling so much.

‘There can be many reasons why people struggle. It can often be domestic violence, substance abuse issues, sickness or they are asylum seekers. But we’re also now seeing families with two parents both in work who still can’t afford all the basics. Their salaries simply don’t cover the bills and the necessities.’

The charity offers families clothing, blankets, cots, prams, books and toys. But Renata says a common request is for first infant baby formula, something Little Village can’t provide due to storage issues.

‘We can’t keep it here due to space and we simply don’t have the funds to buy it,’ she tells Michelle. ‘It’s very expensive. But we do get so many requests for formula. In those cases, all we can do is point them in the direction of local food banks to see if they can help.’

Sadly, not all food banks supply formula and last month, it was reported that some charities were being forced to ration it due to a surge of families struggling to afford it. 

It was also recently reported that baby formula had risen in price by 24% in the last two years and to make matters worse, current government policy prohibits the promotion of formula and therefore retailers do not include it in their loyalty card schemes or offer price promotions or reductions. In extreme cases, families have been watering down the formula to make it last longer.

This issue has been the driving force behind Metro and family support charity Feed’s Formula For Change campaign, which is calling on the government to urgently review their infant formula legislation and give retailers the green light to accept loyalty points, all food bank vouchers and store gift cards as payment for infant formula.

Since it was launched, it has received support from Labour, Iceland supermarket – who are actively defying government guidelines – and a host of well known-names, including Katherine Ryan and Kesley Parker.

Michelle was one of the first celebrities to lend her support to the campaign and offered to help however she could – including her visit to Little Village.

After welcoming her son AJ in 2014, Michelle – who is also a mum to daughter Faith, 11, with husband Hugh Hanley – had to formula feed after undergoing a double mastectomy just two years prior.

‘I couldn’t breastfeed but I still felt that pressure from people,’ she tells Renata at Little Village. ‘I also recognise how lucky I was to be able to afford formula. I know there are many families that can not and that’s evident when you spend time at a place like Little Village.

‘That’s why I’m so passionate about Formula For Change and trying to help make a difference. Formula isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. We need this outdated government restriction on formula to change because it’s taking a devastating toll.’

‘That would do a lot to help,’ Renata agrees. ‘Families are fighting right now for the basics.’

Little Village couldn’t be further from what you’d expect of a baby bank. The space is designed to look like a children’s store, with the shelves lined with plush toys, books and blankets and the rails filled with little coats, cardigans and jackets. 

‘We try to create a shopping experience,’ Renata explains to Michelle. ‘We call it a retail experience. Families can come in for a one hour slot and essentially shop for what they need. Most items are second hand but they’re all in good condition. The whole idea is that families are getting a gift.’

The charity also puts together donation packages based on referral forms that list a child’s gender and age.

As one comes in for a baby boy aged between three to six months, Michelle gets to work to pack it up for him. She sifts through the books, nostalgically pulling out ones that she had read to her own children. She takes time and care to find something she thinks this baby boy will want. 

As she heads over to the section of toys, she becomes visibly emotional as she starts to piece together a picture of this child in need.

‘I just imagine in my head the look of joy on the families’ faces when they get the bundle,’she says quietly. ‘It can ease the pain or hardship a little bit for them and maybe help them get through winter. But a baby in desperate need of a toy? It’s so sad when you say it out loud. But that’s the reality, isn’t it?’

The situation also resonates with Michelle as the referral form also lists the reasons why a family is struggling – and this most recent one cites issues with alcohol. 

The former Hear’Say singer entered rehab at The Priory in 2021 for alcohol addiction and has said that at her lowest, she had given up on life and just ‘wanted to die’.

In April this year, she celebrated two years without alcohol, but still works hard on her sobriety.

‘I know that addiction doesn’t discriminate,’ she tells Metro. ‘It doesn’t matter if you’re in poverty or have money. Addiction doesn’t have a face. I have met many women who have struggled to seek help when they needed it. It’s so hard when you’re a mother too. There’s a lot of shame attached. I can’t imagine what some of these families are going through. I’m just thankful they have somewhere like this to come.’

Site manager Renata explains that despite the joyful feeling that emanates throughout Little Village, families can often become emotional as they open up about their story.

‘This is a hard job to do,’ she tells Michelle. ‘We offer a safe space and I think that makes people feel they can be vulnerable with us. I’ve heard of families keeping the heating off through winter so they can afford food or families who are forced to leave their babies in soiled nappies because they don’t have the money for a fresh pack.

‘Some families have nothing, not even furniture and their babies are sleeping on the floor. We try to help as much as we can but this is a wider issue that needs addressing.’

As Michelle gets ready to leave at the end of the day, she takes the time to thank each staff member individually for their help. 

This place was nothing like I pictured it would be,’ she tells Metro on the way out. ‘I didn’t realise I’d get so emotional but I hate to think of other mums struggling. I’m going to go home now and give my family a big hug.’

She adds: ‘Little Village has proved once again why Formula For Change is such a needed campaign and I’m so happy to help and be a part of it. Families are in such a desperate struggle right now. Places like this offer so much but they can’t offer formula so we need to make sure baby milk is accessible for everyone. 

‘No mother should have to choose between heating or food. Every mother hopes to give her child the best. They shouldn’t have to choose between the basic necessities.’

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