17 Sep, 2025
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation has awarded its first grants to charities supporting babies and families across the country.
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation is a new charity, set up to transform the lives of babies by providing funding for charities delivering frontline support, commissioning international research into how best to support babies, and advocating for the importance of the 1001 critical days around the world. It is the only UK-based grant-giving charity exclusively dedicated to supporting babies.
Following a rigorous application process, six charities have been awarded a combined total of £1m in multi-year funding to deliver frontline services to families in community-based family hubs or similar settings. Up to 1,800 babies and their families are expected to benefit from this support.
“This is an incredibly proud moment for the 1001 Critical Days Foundation. These are our very first grant awards, and each of the six charities chosen has shown outstanding commitment to supporting babies and their families. Their applications were impressive, their impact is tangible, and I cannot wait to see the difference they will make in communities across the country. Together, we are determined that every baby should experience the best start in life.”
Founder of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation and Executive Chair of the Trustees, the Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom
The six charities awarded funding represent geographies across the whole of the UK and offer a full spectrum of services to help give every baby the best start in life.
The six charities are:
- Literacy Volunteers
- Home-Start Edinburgh
- Stepping Stones North Edinburgh
- For Baby’s Sake
- The Oxford Parent Infant Project (OXPIP)
- Thrive at Five
“We are deeply grateful to the 1001 Critical Days Foundation for funding For Baby’s Sake and championing the vital role of Family Hubs. Every baby deserves to feel safe, loved and nurtured, and this funding enables us to reach families at the heart of communities.”
Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of The For Baby's Sake Trust
The funding will support For Baby’s Sake delivery across London through Family Hubs: 8 families in Westminster, 5 in Haringey, 5 in Islington, and 8 families in RBKC, annually. This will reach up to 130 babies and up to 520 individuals over 5 years. Additionally, it will facilitate quarterly training sessions for professionals across Hubs, enhancing skills and knowledge-sharing.
For more information on The 1001 Critical Days Foundation, head here.
