Leicestershire children’s charity needs public votes to win £3,000 community grant
Caremark, one of the UK’s leading home care providers, has announced that children’s charity Baby Basics Leicester has been shortlisted for a £3,000 grant through its UK-wide Community Care Fund, with the final winners now set to be decided by public vote.
The charity, which is run by Church of the Martyrs, aims to reduce infant mortality and poverty by supporting vulnerable families to meet the practical and financial demands of having a new baby. Working in partnership with health professionals and other agencies, it supplies families with essentials such a safe place for their baby to sleep, nappies, towels, toiletries, as well as larger items of equipment, such as pushchairs and highchairs.
Baby Basics Leicester has been selected as the East Midlands finalist in the nationwide Caremark initiative. It is now one of 12 regional finalists in the running to receive funding, with the three projects receiving the most public votes each awarded a £3,000 grant.
Voting is now open via Caremark’s Facebook page and closes on 1st September 2026.
The charity currently supports over 100 children each month, but the supply of donated items doesn’t always keep up with demand. If successful, Baby Basics Leicester will use the £3,000 grant to purchase additional equipment, including cots, pushchairs, highchairs, baby bouncers, etc.
The Caremark Community Care Fund was launched earlier this year to recognise and support grassroots projects making a positive difference in local communities. As a home care provider supporting people to live independently in their own homes, Caremark created the fund to celebrate local initiatives that help people feel supported, connected and part of their community.
Members of the public, community groups and local not-for-profit organisations were invited to nominate projects they believe deserved support, with more than 1,600 nominations received from across the UK. From those nominations, 12 finalists have been selected, with one representing each of Caremark’s UK regions. The three projects receiving the most public votes will each be awarded a £3,000 grant to help them continue, develop or expand their work.
David Glover, CEO of Caremark, said:
“Caremark’s work is built around helping people live well in the place they call home, but we know that a good quality of life is also shaped by the community around you. It is shaped by whether people feel safe, supported, included and connected. That is why we launched the Community Care Fund. We wanted to recognise the local projects and organisations that are making life better for people in their communities, often with limited resources and without the recognition they deserve.
“To receive more than 1,600 nominations from across the UK has been extraordinary. It shows just how much important community work is happening every day, often quietly and consistently, in towns and villages across the country.
“Baby Basics Leicester is a brilliant example of that, ensuring vulnerable families in the local community can give their children a safe and healthy start in life. It now has the chance to receive one of three £3,000 grants. We would encourage people across Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands to read about the finalists and cast their vote.”
VOTING IS NOW OPEN. To vote for Baby Basics Leicester and discover more about the Caremark Community Care Fund shortlisted organisations, visit Caremark’s Facebook page and vote via the pinned post. Voting is open until 1.9.2026.
