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Aldi launches £100 weekly voucher fund for Suffolk parents

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Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

New parents in Suffolk can now apply for Aldi's Mamia New Parent Fund, offering £100 vouchers every week for a year to help with baby essentials.

Why it matters: Close to two thirds of parents admit the financial impact of having a child was bigger than expected, with monthly expenses increasing by £225 on average.

  • 50% of new parents describe it as overwhelming

  • 45% report increased stress levels from financial pressure

  • 17% were surprised by recurring nappy costs

  • 14% were caught off guard by baby food expenses

A young girl being given a banana by her mum in an Aldi supermarket
Aldi launches Mamia New Parent FundAldi

The big picture: The initiative builds on Aldi's commitment to provide affordable products through its Mamia range of baby food, nappies and wipes. The supermarket was recently crowned Supermarket of the Year at the Loved by Parents Awards, while Mamia won Best Parenting Brand of the Year.

How it works: Parents can email proof of a Mamia nappy purchase to mamiaparentfund@aldi.co.uk, with one parent selected weekly to receive a £100 voucher. Terms and conditions can be found here.

What they're saying: Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: "No parent ever forgets the joy of welcoming a new child, but it often also brings unexpected financial challenges. Even after the big-ticket purchases before the baby arrives, there's suddenly lots of new items to add to your weekly grocery list for the first time."

The bottom line: The fund aims to help Suffolk parents better manage the financial challenges of having a baby, allowing them to "better enjoy every moment with their new arrival."

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Partnership to inspire Suffolk's next generation of female construction workers

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

A ground-breaking collaboration between Suffolk Chamber and Women in Construction Anglia has already engaged more than 600 individuals through events and initiatives.

Why it matters: The partnership aims to address the construction sector's skills shortage while increasing diversity in an industry where women currently make up only 15% of the workforce.

The big picture: The collaboration comes as the government commits £600 million to tackle construction skills gaps, with plans to train 60,000 skilled workers by 2029 to support the building of 1.5 million homes.

John Dugmore and Clare Friel
John Dugmore and Clare FrielWomen in Construction Anglia

What they're saying: "This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to bridging the gap between industry and education," said John Dugmore, CEO of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

"We have been working behind the scenes on this partnership for some time, so the Chancellor's announcement on investing in skills in construction has come at the perfect time."

Details: The partnership will focus on:

  • Enhancing skills development through collaboration with local education institutions and businesses

  • Addressing barriers to work

  • Promoting diversity and inclusion

  • Facilitating engagement between industry and education

By the numbers: Women in Construction Anglia has made significant impact since launching in October 2024, engaging more than 600 individuals through events and initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of women to pursue construction careers.

What they're saying: Clare Friel, Founder of Women in Construction Anglia, said: "Our collaboration with the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce amplifies our efforts to inspire and support women in the construction industry."

"Since its inception we have been proud to collaborate with colleges across Suffolk but have aspirations to take our work across the region. Together, we can create more opportunities and drive meaningful change."

The bottom line: With this new partnership, Suffolk aims to remain "at the forefront of the construction sector," according to Dugmore, ensuring the county is "equipped with a diverse and skilled workforce ready to meet future challenges."

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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