Poverty can mean a child going without the basics
- Going to school hungry
- Lacking space to study or play
- Repeatedly packing up life and moving (roughly one child in every London classroom is homeless).
- Missing out on trips with school or friends, because they are too expensive.
Together we can do better for London’s children.
Jessica Greenhalf – Home-Start London, 4in10 member organisation
No Child in a Home Without a Kitchen.
Lack of kitchen space is causing a children’s health crisis – including malnutrition, developmental delays and rickets.
4in10 member The Magpie Project are campaigning to ensure that no child is housed in temporary accommodation without adequate cooking facilities. 4in10 have been pleased to lend their support.
Quaker Social Action also offers Cook Up, a free cooking space for people living without a kitchen.
4in10 respond to the Government Child Poverty Strategy
The Government published their Child Poverty Strategy in December 2025.
4in10 advocated in the interests of London’s children during the Strategy’s development.
We are now preparing a response following its publication. Many 4in10 network members are highly engaged in this process – united by a sense that we must be more ambitious to end child poverty.
Fix the Five Basics
The Five Basics are amenities we all rely on: cooking, laundry, wifi, storage space and clear information.
Yet families in temporary accommodation are expected to cope without them, often for years at a time, and it is harming residents’ wellbeing.
4in10 has taken part in the campaign to change this, along with network members IRMO and Advice Now.
Make Childcare Make Sense
We believe that all children have an equal right to education. And that this should not be limited by their parent’s ability to fund it or their immigration status.
4in10’s report ‘Make Childcare Make Sense’ sets out a series of recommendations to make childcare affordable and accessible for low income-families in London.
Mums and young people meet the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, visited the UK this year to examine its record on child poverty. 4in10 introduced him to several amazing organisations from our network.
This included the Magpie Project, where he heard from mums living in temporary accommodation; and XLP, where he spoke to young people supported by the charity.
We are pleased that his findings echo our serious concerns about the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy, and the widespread long-term use of hotels and B&Bs for families with children.
Child Poverty Free Community events
We regularly co-host these events (named Child Poverty Free Merton, Child Poverty Free Havering etc.) with and to bring together the people working to end child poverty in their local area.
Attendees frequently include Councillors; staff from charities, children’s centres and local government; and many more.
Because together, we are stronger.
Supporting migrants and minoritised families through the SEND diagnosis process
4in10 hosted an online information session, prompted by conversations with many members who are increasingly supporting families in this situation, often without the support and knowledge they need.
The well-received event featured presentations from 4in10 members and partners with expertise in this area, including the Disabled Children’s Partnership, JoshyBoy Legacy and The Magpie Project.
More from 4in10
Become a 4in10 member
Do you work to improve the lives of children living in poverty in London? Join our campaigning and support network for free.
