Hello
Welcome to The Smallest Things, a registered charity promoting the good health of premature babies and their families. We’re really glad you found us. Whether you’re a parent or family member looking for support, an employer wanting to help your staff, or a health professional looking for information, you’re in the right place.
Neonatal Care (Leave & Pay) coming soon!
Following 10 years of fighting for extended parental leave for families of premature babies, The Smallest Things is delighted that the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act is one step closer to becoming a reality for families. It will be accessible from 6 April 2025.
The new law is testament to the power of the parent voice, which has been at the heart of our campaigning for over a decade.
“The stress and trauma experienced by families during a neonatal stay cannot be underestimated,” says our founder Catriona Ogilvy. “In an instant, our world is turned upside down. No parent or carer should be sitting beside an incubator worrying about pay or work.”
The new law is a huge step forward and is also an opportunity for truly compassionate, family-friendly employers to go above and beyond these statutory minimums when updating their policies. We continue to invite companies and organisations to demonstrate their commitment to families going through the toughest of times by signing up to our Employer with Heart 2.0 charter.
NEW! Employer with Heart 2.0
We’ve relaunched our successful Employer with Heart charter in light of new legislation. Visit our Hall of Fame to see if your company is already an Employer with Heart. If not, we have everything you need to ask them to sign up. Are you a compassionate, family-friendly business or organisation? Find out how you can sign up now.
About us
The Smallest Things exists because we don’t believe there’s enough understanding of the unique needs of families of premature babies.
Going home from the hospital is far from the end of the journey through neonatal care. Many babies have longer-term needs and lots of parents struggle mentally, practically and financially following the trauma of NICU. We’re here for them.
Get involved
From signing the petition to extend parental leave to making a donation or hosting a picnic, there are lots of ways you can support The Smallest Things…
Fundraise for us
Fancy getting your trainers on and running 10K? Or perhaps coffee and cake are more your thing? There are lots of ways to raise money for The Smallest Things and we’ll support you every step of the way.
Ask your employer
In February 2018, with no sign of new legislation on the cards, we launched our Employer with Heart charter, asking businesses to extend parental leave for staff who have babies born early. We updated it in 2023 to reflect the new legislation. Has your workplace signed up to our charter yet?
Make a donation
We’re a tiny charity run entirely by volunteers so every penny really does count. Your donations help us to raise awareness, carry out research, host events, consult with government officials and launch schemes such as our ‘preemie proud’ red book stickers.
Speak to your school
With an average of two to three children in every classroom being born early, we know that teachers can play a crucial role in supporting and making a difference to the lives of children born prematurely. Ask your child’s school to take the three simple steps to becoming Prem Aware today.