Research reveals 18,000 Children Living in Poverty in MK in 2021

With recent research revealing that 18,000 children were living in poverty in MK in 2021, Milton Keynes Community Foundation have launched a Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal to support the most vulnerable groups in the city.

Recognising that the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis goes far further than heating and eating, MK Community Foundation have been speaking to vulnerable young people across the city to understand how the Cost-of-Living Crisis is affecting them.

Lauren, a 20-year-old currently working for SOFEA said:

I feel stuck. I'm working to just about live, counting pennies for fuel so I get to work. I don't feel I'm having the same experience my parents had at my age, people then could just move out of their parent’s homes.

It is abundantly clear that young people are not only anxious about the impact they've felt on their basic needs, but the detrimental affect the cost-of-living crisis is having on their future aspirations, including housing and employment.

Lauren is just one of thousands of young people in the city who are facing an uncertain future.

Fortunately, support is available to Lauren through SOFEA, a Milton Keynes based charity providing education, employability, and wellbeing programmes for vulnerable youngsters.

Jack, 18 and currently doing his Maths and English GCSE through SOFEA said:

Everyone is nice here and I now feel like I have a purpose. Without SOFEA I don't think I would be alive.

It is charities like SOFEA that are also feeling the impact of the cost-of-living on their services, with many facing an uncertain future.

This comes hand in hand with local charities such as MK Food Bank, seeing a startling 40% increased demand for their services since last year.

By donating to MK Community Foundation's Cost of Living Appeal, you're supporting the vital work of charities and community groups in the city.

Without their services, young people like Lauren and Jack would face an even more uncertain future.

With your kindness, we can offer young people a future they deserve.