My Bag Charity & TLC: A Partnership Bringing Dignity to Children during difficult times.

Across Nottinghamshire, two compassionate initiatives are quietly reshaping how vulnerable children experience moments of crisis. At the heart of this impact is My Bag Charity, working in powerful partnership with Teddies for Loving Care (TLC), with support from Nottinghamshire Freemasons.

Together, they are ensuring that when a child’s world is suddenly turned upside down, they are met not only with practical support — but with dignity, warmth, and reassurance.

My Bag Charity: Practical Help with Emotional Impact

My Bag Charity exists for one clear purpose: to support children entering foster care for the first time, often at very short notice and for a variety of challenging circumstances, including domestic abuse, neglect, emergency placements, or safeguarding interventions.

Far too often, children arrive at their new foster carer or emergency carer with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. My Bag Charity responds to this stark reality by providing carefully prepared bags filled with essentials tailored to age and need.

Each bag is designed for one of four age groups (0–4, 5–9, 10–13, and 14–16), with separate packs for boys and girls, and typically includes:

• Toiletries and hygiene items

• Age-appropriate activities and books

• Small comfort items

These are not just practical supplies. They are carefully chosen to restore a sense of normality and personal dignity at a moment when both are in short supply.

TLC: A Simple Gift with a Powerful Message

The role of Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) is beautifully simple: provide teddy bears to bring comfort during distressing experiences, particularly in hospitals and care settings.

Yet the impact of that simplicity is profound. A teddy bear offers something immediately recognisable, soft, and safe — a small anchor in an unfamiliar world.

For children in crisis, that sense of emotional security can be just as important as any practical item.

A Partnership Formed at the Right Moment

The connection between My Bag Charity and TLC emerged through a chance but timely introduction involving community networks supported by Freemasons in Nottinghamshire.

A meeting involving representatives of Nottinghamshire Freemasons brought together key individuals from both initiatives. What followed was an immediate recognition of shared purpose.

During discussions with My Bag Charity’s Co-Founder, a crucial insight became clear: every My Bag delivered to a child could be strengthened further by the inclusion of a TLC teddy bear.

The reasoning was simple but powerful — children arriving in unfamiliar and often distressing environments benefit enormously from something that is unmistakably theirs, offering comfort and continuity in a moment of upheaval.

The response was immediate. Within a single meeting, agreement was reached for TLC to support the inclusion of teddy bears alongside approximately 500 My Bags distributed each year — a number that continues to grow.

What might have taken months of coordination was achieved in half an hour — a testament to shared commitment and aligned values.

Why the Collaboration Matters

This partnership enhances the impact of both organisations:

• My Bag Charity provides essential practical support at a critical moment

• TLC adds emotional reassurance through the comfort of a teddy bear

• Freemasons in Nottinghamshire help facilitate and support the connection

Together, they transform emergency response from purely functional care into something more human — something that acknowledges fear, uncertainty, and emotional need.

For a child entering foster care, the difference is immediate. They don’t just receive belongings. They receive something that feels personal, safe, and comforting.

A Shared Mission of Care

At its core, this collaboration is about restoring dignity to children in moments when they are most vulnerable. It reflects a shared belief that no child should feel forgotten, even in the most difficult circumstances.

My Bag Charity ensures they are equipped with essential items. TLC ensures they are comforted. Together, they ensure they are seen.

And in that simple combination — a carefully packed bag and a teddy bear — lies a powerful message: you matter, and you are not alone.

Looking Ahead

As demand continues, the partnership between My Bag Charity and TLC is set to grow further. With continued support from volunteers, donors, and community organisations, more children across Nottinghamshire will receive not only essential items, but also a symbol of comfort when they need it most.

It is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with simple acts — and that collaboration can turn those acts into lasting impact.