We work with communities across the UK to make sure children living in poverty have the money, services, and voice they deserve. We know that we need to bring a lot of people together to make lives better for children experiencing poverty, and we think that by working with local experts who know their communities we can start making lives that bit easier and start driving national change together.
We use a placed-based, community approach. We work alongside children, families and partners to make sure local knowledge shapes local and national solutions. We work hard to build communities of people who care about children. We listen to what’s important to them and work together to make things better.
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What do we mean by a Placed–Based Approach?
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Place-based means working in a particular geographical location, such as a neighbourhood or local area. The work is then focused on bringing together people in that community to bring about positive change by identifying, understanding and helping fix problems in the community. We’ve been working in this way for a long time now and have learned a lot along the way.
Places we've worked across
We can't do this work alone
Explore stories that showcase our work with communities from the planning stage all the way to what we’ve learnt from these projects. Explore 13 examples of our work with partners and communities across the UK from:
• Working together to improve psychological wellbeing with the Bettws Early Learning Community (BELC)
• Commissioning ‘Our Story’ in Longsight Children’s Centre in Manchester, giving parents the chance to tell their own stories through art. The project culminated in an exhibition event with over 500 attendees.
It’s like a club, I do not feel I am being given a hand-out. I feel a part of something
A parent at a Save the Children- supported food pantry in Smallshaw-Hurst
Children's communities
We work in partnership with the Children’s Communities Network to get local organisations such as nurseries, football clubs and doctors working together so there are no gaps for children to fall through.
The Children’s Community Network empowers local agencies to create a support chain that makes sure help is at hand for our children facing poverty - whatever stage of their development they need it.
Right now, their work is focused on two Children's Communities in Wallsend near Newcastle, and Smallshaw – Hurst in Greater Manchester.
Direct help for families who need it
Nearly one in three children in the UK are growing up without the essentials after housing costs. Our Family Grants programme is shaped by what families say they need most, offering flexible vouchers for essentials like food, clothing and household items. It provides short-term support to help families get through tough moments, with referrals made by trusted professionals and organisations. Since 2021 we’ve supported more than 21,000 children across the UK.
Baby Banks
Save the Children is a founding partner of The Baby Bank Alliance, alongside Little Village, Baby Bank Bristol Network and Purposeful Ventures. Baby banks are a lifeline for struggling families across the UK, providing new parents with equipment and advice to help their littles ones thrive.
In 2024, baby banks supported an estimated 220,000 families, distributing over 3.5 million essential items- from nappies and prams to books and cots.
