With an increasing number of children in the UK living in poverty, Baby Bank Network in Bristol is using the food bank model to provide for families in need. This shows there's an opportunity for brands to forge meaningful partnerships that benefit both those in need and their bottom lines.

In some kindergartens, Barbies and toy trucks stand apart – but in Sweden, robots wear tutus, and gender pronouns are neutral. Rather than using education to put children in boxes, Sweden is breaking down divides between boys and girls, in the interest of their future interpersonal skills.

Retail brand Very has released a campaign ahead of the Christmas season showcasing its range of toys. By showing a small girl transported into worlds where the toys come alive, seeing her take on roles ranging from a vet to a builder, the ad breaks down gendered stereotypes.

The gender divide in the toy industry is easy to spot: trucks for boys and dolls for girls, with research showing a stark divide in imagery used in catalogues too. But change is afoot, with marketers and brands increasingly adopting a more gender-neutral approach to toy advertising.