A new Charities Hub in Galley Hill funded by Milton Keynes City Council has officially opened with a ribbon cutting event attended by many volunteers who generously give their time to charities, alongside a drive to create hampers for local people in need.
The City Council invested in the 536 square metre building as a dedicated and secure new home for several local charities including GirlPack, Baby Basics and MK Food Bank – who moved in last month – so the groups could spend more time helping local people rather than worrying about keeping a roof over their head.
The hub offers more space so the charities can give help to even more residents, and the new set-sup also means they can collaborate even more effectively.
Girl Pack provides free period packs and essential menstrual products to those in need across Milton Keynes. It works directly with schools, council-run Family Centres, local partners and families to ensure that no one is left without support. Since moving into the new hub in March, the charity says that it has been able to increase the number of partners it works with from 35 to 136, enabling it to support more children in school and families in the community.
Baby Basics MK works with the community and local businesses to reuse high-quality second-hand and new items, creating gift packages filled with essentials for families with children aged from birth to six years. In the past year, it has donated thousands of items to families in need.
MK Food Bank supports more than 5,000 local families each year and distributes essential food products from 10 serving centres across Milton Keynes. People are referred to food banks for a variety of reasons including family crises, loss of employment or health issues. The food bank also works closely with local social care and health agencies to ensure people are receiving help with underlying issues.
Thanks to the work of wonderful local charities, we’re able to get more help to those who need it most. This new home will ensure they can continue their invaluable work in our communities.
Council celebrates small businesses
Milton Keynes City Council is celebrating a year of impressive growth for local entrepreneurs, with an average of five new small businesses opened every week, adding 265 new businesses to the city’s thriving economy.
Milton Keynes has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s best places to start and grow a business. Its strategic location between London, Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge, excellent transport links, and strong local economy make it a magnet for entrepreneurs. The city consistently ranks among the most competitive business hubs in the UK, with high start-up rates and a skilled workforce.
Milton Keynes offers a unique retail landscape, with a mix of vibrant high streets, bustling local centres, and a landmark city centre shopping destination that attracts millions of visitors from across the region and beyond.
Small tech firms are also thriving in Milton Keynes, taking advantage of the city’s strong digital infrastructure and reputation as a smart city. From app developers and AI start-ups to companies working on electric vehicle technology, these businesses are helping to drive innovation and create high-skilled jobs. One in three jobs in the city is now linked to tech, reinforcing MK’s reputation as a city where innovation is at the heart of growth.
For further information about the sustainability programmes, click here.
Leader
Milton Keynes City Council
