Until this year, there have been no additional leave provisions for working parents with babies in neonatal care meaning many parents had been forced to use maternity, paternity, or adoption leave, take holiday or unpaid leave, or even quit their jobs or return to work whilst their baby remained in neonatal care. 

From 6 April 2025, this changed with the implementation of new statutory entitlements which are expected to benefit around 60,000 new parents. With the introduction of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 and accompanying Regulations, the government has introduced a day-one statutory right to neonatal care leave and pay. In this article, associate Julia Nwaneke explains what this means for charities and advises them on next steps. Read on

We’re thrilled to be part of The Big Give’s Champions for Children match funding campaign this year!

From Tuesday 3rd June to Tuesday 17th June, every donation made will be doubled, thanks to match funding from The Childhood Trust and our wonderful supporters.

One donation. Double the impact.

How Does it Work?

Champions for Children supports charities tackling child poverty across London. During the campaign, every pound you give is matched–doubling your impact.

Our target is to raise £6,225 in donations, which will be doubled to £12,500 thanks to pledges from our supporters and The Childhood Trust!

• Donate £10 → We receive £20
• Donate £50 → We receive £100 

With your support, we can continue providing life-changing early intervention mentoring to over 340 Little Londoners this year.

How Can You Help?

1. Donate

Every pound you give will be doubled. No matter the size, your donation will go twice as far for the children who need it most. 

Donate here: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000002IZpOYAW  

2. Share

Help us spread the word! Share our Instagram and LinkedIn posts, stories, and photos to help us reach even more people. Share our donation link with your networks and spread our message! 

3. Fundraise

Get creative! Host a bake sale, organise a coffee morning, or take on a two-week challenge such as running. Whatever you do, we’re here to support you.

Learn more about Champions for Children 

Thank you 

Your support means everything to us–and to the children we work with. We couldn’t do this without you. 

Five things fundraisers should be thinking about right now

There are plenty of fundraising innovations going on right now, but often times rediscovering or reinventing tried and tested techniques can work well too. Here are five things fundraisers should be thinking about right now from Jay Kennedy, DSC’s Director of Policy and Research. Take a look here.

AI & grants fundraising

Ben Wittenberg, Director of Development and Delivery at DSC, looks at the use of AI in funding applications, listing some useful plus points as well as some things to watch out for. Take a look here.

 

Please see below the events taking place next week in the borough, organised by local community matrons, in support of ‘Dying Matters Week’

The local community matron team are hosting a ‘Dying Matters’ event in Hammersmith & Fulham on 7th May 2025, spanning three locations: Parkview Centres for Health, King Street, and Parsons Green from 10am to 4pm.

This year, 5th–11th May 2025 marks Dying Matters Week, with 7th May 2025 dedicated as National Advance Care Plan (ACP) Day. The theme of this year’s Dying Matters Campaign is The Culture of Dying Matters. Together, we aim to help our community feel more comfortable discussing dying in ways that are meaningful to them.

The government has appointed new members to the Charity Commission’s board. The solicitor Tasnim Khalid and digital transformation leader Alan Mather will take up their posts on the regulator’s board from 23 April, filling two existing vacancies. Read more here.