Happy New Year! What’s next for 2025?

As we reach the halfway point of January, the reality of our December spending often begins to set in. Whether it was on presents, saying yes to too many social events, or turning up the heating to keep the family warm, many of us will find a way to make it through the month with heating, hot water, and bills paid. But for low-income families, the aftermath of December brings a stark reality filled with difficult decisions: How will I feed my children? Can I afford to turn on the heating? What happens when there’s nothing left? 

For families living in poverty in London, January often brings severe hardship. The pressure to create picture-perfect festivities for children is immense, with expectations to provide gifts, special meals, and exciting outings. The desire to ensure children feel equal to their peers can push families into financial strain that is difficult to recover from. As a result, many struggle to afford basic necessities such as food, hot water, and rent. For hundreds of thousands of children in London, these daily challenges are even more acute during this challenging time of year. 

So, how do we tackle this in 2025?  

In November, we launched the #WinterWithoutWonder campaign to address these urgent needs. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and the support of celebrities who helped amplify our message. we raised over £34,000 in just seven weeks. We are also immensely grateful to London’s Metropolitan Police, whose ongoing fundraising efforts added £15,000 to our appeal, making a huge difference to ensure London’s children are safe in London and have a chance at a brighter future.  

These funds will have a direct impact on children's lives through our Transforming Spaces Programme and London Charity Partner Network, helping to ensure every child has access to a happy, healthy, and safe childhood. 

As we carry this momentum into 2025, we’d like to pass the mic to our dedicated teams at The Childhood Trust to share their visions and goals for the year ahead.