This summer we welcomed Baby Box families from across the North East to our Toddling On Baby Box Picnic at the beautiful Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens, and it really was a day to remember.
The sun was shining as families gathered under the historic castle walls, tucking into picnics, enjoying games on the lawn, and listening to wonderful storytelling sessions with our expert storyteller Tom. The event designed to facilitate connection, giving parents, babies, and toddlers the chance to meet, share experiences, and make lasting memories together.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our partners. Huge thanks to:
· Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens for hosting us free of charge.
· Square One Law for sponsoring the coach that brought families to and from the venue.
· Frankie & Tony’s Sandwich Bar for delicious picnic spreads packed with treats.
· Tesco Gateshead for topping us up with extra goodies.
· Bigjigs Toys, Clair De Lune, Macmillan Publishers, Halilit, and Good Bubble for filling our goodie bags to bursting.
· North East & North Cumbria Core20PLUS5 for Children and Young People for supporting oral health packs for every family.
· Ringtons for the tea and biscuits that kept parents smiling!
Most importantly, thank you to every family who joined us. Your laughter, smiles, and energy made the day so special.
In recent months, a cross-party coalition of MPs, coordinated by The Children’s Foundation, has urged the UK Government to embed Baby Boxes into its national child poverty strategy. These curated bundles, currently supporting vulnerable first-time parents across the North East through initiatives like ours, are being championed as a low-cost, high-impact solution to ease financial burdens while promoting early developmental wellbeing. The call highlights how Baby Boxes support two key pillars of policy: reducing essential living costs and giving babies a strong start in life.
Evidence of effectiveness isn’t just theoretical. A 2024 evaluation by the NIHR found that 100% of parents reported feeling more confident and supported after receiving a Baby Box. Locally, our project has been recognised in the North East Child Poverty Commission’s “No Time to Wait” report as a practical and scalable intervention under its “best start in life” priority.
At The Children’s Foundation, we believe childhood should be filled with joy, play, and community. Days like this remind us that by working together, we can build stronger starts for babies, brighter experiences for children, and happier memories for families across our region.
Our Toddling On Picnic wasn’t the only milestone of the summer. In July 2025 the 2000th Baby Box was placed into the hands of a first-time family right here in the North East. Samantha Goodhall, project lead for the Baby Box initiative said, “The Baby Box isn’t just a collection of essentials, it’s a symbol of care, support, and equality for families during those first 1001 critical days.
“At The Children’s Foundation, we believe that bringing together families who have received a Baby Box fosters connection, shared understanding, and community. In the face of growing concern over child poverty, initiatives like ours are more vital than ever. By uniting families, celebrating early parenthood, and sharing practical resources and support, we’re helping ensure that every child across the North East has a stronger, brighter start.”
Take a look at just some of the fun we had here…
