19 ways the Smallest Things made a big impact in 2019
As we make big plans for 2020, we’ve also taken a moment to look back at what our tiny charity achieved last year – all thanks to your support and donations
1. Applauded Theresa May’s parting word
As Theresa May stepped down as PM, she proposed new neonatal leave and pay entitlement for parents whose babies spent time in neonatal care. “Parents have more than enough on their plates without worrying about parental leave running out and having to return to work before their precious newborn comes home,” she said. We couldn’t agree more.
2. Held our first Picnic Weekend!
On the last weekend in June we hosted our first The Smallest Things picnic fundraiser. Lots of you took part, sharing food and enjoying time with family and friends in the glorious sunshine for a great cause!
3. Spoke up for mums’ mental health
We’ve been delighted to take a seat at the table to support the development of NHS ‘Best practice guidance on supporting mental health within a maternity and neonatal setting’. We’re there to represent you so thanks for taking our survey and making sure the voices of parents are heard.
4. Welcomed some big-name Employers with Heart
Last year we had some high-profile additions to our Hall of Fame, including our biggest employer to date, Nationwide, which signed our charter in July. Its new policy to extend leave and pay for parents whose babies are born early will apply to all 18,000 employees. Huge thanks go to our supporters ‘on the inside’ who made this happen.
5. Relaunched our brand and website
We gave ourselves a makeover in 2019 and reappeared with a new look, logo and website. Thanks go to all the parents who sent us photographs for our new website, which only includes real images of premature babies and their families. No glossy, staged photoshoots here!
6. Attended the first APPG meeting on premature and sick babies
We joined David Linden MP, Bliss and other charities for the inaugural All-Party Parliamentary Group on premature and sick babies.
7. Watched our petition tally go up and up
You’ve been continuing to sign our petition to extend parental leave for parents of premature babies in your thousands! We currently have more than 350,000 signatures and counting…
8. Secured our very first charity run places
We recently announced that we have 10 charity places available at The Great North Run and The 2020 Great Manchester 10K for anyone who’d like to fundraise for The Smallest Things.
9. Supported Neonatal Mental Health Awareness Week
In April we joined forces with Leo’s Neonatal and other charities to highlight the struggles many new parents face following a stay in neonatal care.
10. Hit the social media big time
With more than 17,000 followers on Facebook and over 5,000 on Twitter (plus a mind-boggling number of likes, shares and comments), we reached more of you than ever before in 2019.
11. Made sure your opinions were heard by government
Hundreds of you completed the Consultation questionnaire from the government’s Department of Business to ensure your thoughts on a new neonatal leave law were counted. Together with Bliss and Twins Trust (Tamba) we urged the government to publish their findings.
12. Celebrated the BBC extending parental leave
Thanks to The Smallest Things’ supporter and Radio 5Live presenter Rachel Burden and colleagues putting pressure on the organisation to make changes, the BBC announced it would extend parental leave for parents of premature babies in March.
13. Appeared on the telly – lots!
Did you catch us on Channel 5 News with Nina from Clock (an Employer with Heart) or on BBC Breakfast with new mum Mira and baby Eshaal? We were also on the radio and in the papers a lot last year as we continue to fight for fairer treatment for families.
14. Didn’t forget the dads
We ensured dads’ voices were included in our surveys and in the government’s consultation while continuing to run our #DadsdoNICU series of blogs.
15. Shared your Friday stories
We regularly share your stories of premature birth and life beyond on our social channels and our website as we know how important it is not to feel alone. Many of you have told us how reading these stories has brought comfort in knowing others are on the journey with you.
16. Signposted parents who got in touch
Sometimes we’re able to help parents who reach out, especially if it’s regarding Employer with Heart accreditation, and other times we can let you know about other charities and support networks who are best placed to help.
17. Got name-checked at PMQs
Back in April David Linden MP spoke from the heart when he asked – again- about when the government would publish the findings of their review of parental leave for families of premature babies. In response Theresa May said BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) was working with The Smallest Things on this issue.
18. Raised a glass to Waltham Forest Council
We were thrilled that Waltham Forest Council, our very first Employer with Heart, won a Guardian Public Service Award (workforce wellbeing winner) in November for its premature baby policy. The changes they have made have inspired many other organisations from across the sectors to follow suit.
19. Cheered the Queen’s Speech
We were delighted that the Queen’s Speech promised to bring forward new legislation, set out in the Employment Bill, that will allow parents in neonatal care to take extended paid leave. After more than four years of campaigning, change really is coming!