We have run several articles about baby banks in Sunbury Matters. To recap Baby Basics UK has been operating since 2009 providing essential baby/toddler equipment to vulnerable women, including but not limited to, families in economic poverty, teenage mums, women seeking asylum, women fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking. They provide clothing, toiletries and other essentials needed for life with a children up to 5 yrs. Baby Basics works closely with midwives, health visitors and other agencies to provide a safe, reliable service that people can trust. Across a network of centres they supported over 4000 families in 2019 and expect to have supported over 7000 families in 2020.
Baby Basics Sunbury is based at Sunbury Methodist Church in the Teddington Circuit, and was one of the first centres to open. There are now over 40 centres across the UK. The charity supplies basic essentials for new mothers in the form of a Moses Basket starter pack. Referrals are from Midwives, Health Visitors and Social Workers across a wide area spanning form Guildford to Ealing to Kensington and Kingston. Since its inception in 2014 the team has supplied items to support in excess of 1100 families.
Baby Basics announced recently that the Duchess of Cambridge is supporting Baby Banks and vulnerable families across the UK by launching a new initiative. Earlier this year, the Duchess of Cambridge helped pack essential bundles for vulnerable children at Baby Basics – West Norfolk. She helped with the delivery of supplies before talking to families about how baby banks have provided them with invaluable support when they needed it most.
Inspired by the work of these charities, she has brought together nineteen British Brands to donate items to Baby Banks across the UK. Brands include Boden, JoJo Maman Bebe and Mamas and Papas, as well as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis.
Baby Basics UK is honoured to have been chosen to be part of this amazing initiative.
The Duchess of Cambridge said: “Over recent months, I have heard from families who have been supported by baby banks through the most difficult of times and I have been deeply moved by their stories. Having somewhere to turn to for support is important for all families, and baby banks work every day, up and down the country, to provide immediate, tangible and practical help for parents and carers when they are most in need. Baby banks are driven by incredible volunteers, demonstrating the power of community spirit in supporting families and coming together to raise the next generation. Thanks to the generosity of the companies taking part in this initiative, baby banks across the UK will be able to support even more families through this particularly challenging time.”