Can you do something, big or small, to help create a better world for premature babies and their families after neonatal care?
1. SIGN UP FOR A CHALLENGE
Walk, climb, bounce or run to raise vital fund for premature babies – you'll find lots of inspiration on our website or create your own challenge for 2026. It's simple to set up and link your JustGiving page too.
2. CONTACT YOUR MP or MS
Find details for your MP or MS, download a template letter or read our guide to meeting your MP/MS on the website. It couldn't be easier!
3. ASK YOUR SCHOOL TO BE PREM AWARE
Download our guidance pack to send to your school so they know the steps they need to take to support prematurely born children in the classroom. Need more support? Email us for tips and a template presentation.
9 more ways to get involved in our month of action! Download our social image (above) to show your support for neonatal families this May
4. Ask your employer to have a heart Will your workplace go above and beyond the statutory minimums of Neonatal Leave & Pay and sign our Employer with Heart charter? They will need to update policies to give parents of premature babies extended leave at full pay for the number of days between birth date and due date. We’ve got everything you need to approach your employer, including a template email and ready-to-go presentation.
5. Fundraise your way! From preloved clothes and bake sales to daily walks and fun quizzes, the possibilities for having fun while raising vital funds for The Smallest Things are endless! Now the weather is warmer, perhaps you’d like to get families from your NICU together for a picnic? Or pass on the ‘Smallest Things’ your child has outgrown at a bring-and-buy sale. You could charge a small entrance fee and supply the tea, juice and biscuits.It’s easy to set up your JustGiving page so donations go directly to us.
6. Share our film Raise awareness of the realities of NICU and why neonatal families need more support by sharing ‘This is NICU’ on your social channels and with your contacts. It’s impossible to know what it’s like behind NICU doors but watching this short film containing real footage from families inside the unit is the next best thing.
7. Nominate us at your workplace Find our if your company has a charitable giving scheme or Charity of the Year and nominate The Smallest Things. You’ll find details of what we’ve achieved so far and plans for the future in our Strategy. Email us if you need any more details for your nomination.
8. Follow, like and share Make sure you’re following us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and take a second to like or share our posts – it helps us reach more people and extend our community so we can fight for change and call for more support.
9. Write a blog Sharing your story can help other neonatal families feel less alone . Please email 500-750 words plus at least three images (including one from NICU days and one more recent) to hello@thesmallestthings.org or get in touch to discuss how you’d like to tell your story.
10. Sign up to our newsletter Keep up to date with The Smallest Things’ Big News by subscribing to our monthly email.
11. Become a campaigner Can you ask your MP to put the unique needs of premature babies and their families high on the agenda? Thanks to the collective power of your voices, we’ve already changed the law to extend paid parental leave for neonatal families. Sign up to become a campaigner and we’ll be in direct contact to help you actively support our mission.
12. Tell your friends Know another NICU family? Tell them about The Smallest Things. Forward our monthly email to anyone who might be interested, share the link to our website or tag someone in the comments of one of our social posts. The more people we can reach, the more support we can build to create a better world for premature babies and their families after neonatal care.