Invisible Poverty MK

Meet Lottie.

Lottie is 19 and a Carer living in Wolverton.

But nobody sees her poverty, and nobody knows her struggle.

Nobody knows that her dad left when she was just a child and that since she was 14, she has had to care for her mother who has a long-term illness.

Nobody knows that she doesn’t have many friends because she can’t go out and leave her mum on her own.

Nobody knows that she can’t work to earn more money or try to pursue a career because her mum needs 24-hour care.

Nobody knows that she has to make do on the little benefits they receive and that she frequently goes without food so that her mum can eat.

Nobody knows that she regularly has to visit food and clothes banks to feed and clothe herself and her mum.

Nobody knows that she has no personal life and stands no prospect of making a future for herself.

Nobody knows because nobody really sees her. She’s invisible, and so is her desperate situation.

If you knew, what would you do?

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Meet Lucy

Meet Isaac

Meet Preena

Poverty is now a reality for many families in Milton Keynes but we don’t always see the people and the children affected. They live in our neighbourhood but they’re often invisible to us.

MK Community Foundation's Cost-of-Living appeal aims to raise funds from businesses and residents to help support more people like Lottie.

How you can help

1) Make a one-off donation

Every penny donated will directly fund charities and projects that will support their local communities through the winter months of a cost-of-living crisis.

Your donation could help a family afford their next meal, keep the heating on during the coldest nights, or ensure that a child has a warm coat this winter.

By pledging your support to the cost-of-living appeal, you’ll help families choosing between heating and eating, older people at risk of poor health due to cold homes, children without warm winter coats, and many more.

Every donation, from £10 to £1000 will change someone's life.

2) Create your own fundraising page

By creating a fundraising page, you’ll be part of a movement to help shine a light on those struggling in silence. You could host a coffee morning, a festive jumper day, a sponsored challenge, or something completely unique.

However you choose to raise funds, you'll get that warm fuzzy-feeling in knowing that your page will raise vital funds towards the Cost-of-Living Appeal.

Start your page today and help make sure no one in our community is left unseen or unsupported.

Start your Fundraiser

3) Share this page with your family and colleagues

Help us spread awareness of this appeal and the challenges facing residents in Milton Keynes.

Over 8000 households are in fuel poverty.
More than 1 in 3 children in MK live in poverty.
43% of Universal Credit claimants are in work.
12% of neighbourhoods in MK are in the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK.

Together, we can ensure help reaches those who need it most, when they need it most.

Case Studies

Thanks to the incredible generosity shown to our appeal last year, we were able to fund local charities helping families affected by the cost-of-living crisis. Read more below.