Port of Tyne backs baby box scheme

A maritime trade hub is helping to address child poverty by backing a scheme that aims to give babies the best possible start in life.

The Port of Tyne has pledged its support to The Children’s Foundation’s Baby Box programme, becoming the first commercial business to invest in North East mayor Kim McGuinness’ Fundamentals Fund.

Through the commitment, 120 additional baby boxes will be distributed to first-time parents across Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

The move aligns with the mayor’s £28.6 million Child Poverty Action Plan, which is urging businesses to play a greater role in tackling inequality and supporting families during the crucial early years.

Mayor McGuinness said: “It’s so important that we break down the barriers that poverty creates, and we cannot start early enough. 

“As part of our 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.”

Baby boxes form a key part of the mayor’s strategy, helping to ease the immediate financial pressures faced by new parents.

Delivered through the Children’s Foundation, the Baby Box initiative provides families with essential items to support early development and wellbeing. 

Each box includes practical necessities such as a changing mat, bath towel and first toothbrush, alongside books and toys designed to encourage learning and development from birth.

Families are referred into the scheme by midwifery teams, with support focused on first-time parents who may benefit from additional help during the transition into parenthood.

The Port of Tyne’s backing is seen as an important step in strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors, supporting wider ambitions to expand the scheme and improve early years outcomes for children across the region.

Matt Beeton, chief executive of the Port of Tyne, added: “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.”

Sean Soulsby, chief executive of Newcastle-based The Children’s Foundation, 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 1001 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.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →