STRUGGLING families who can't afford the basics may be able to get free help from hundreds of baby banks springing up across the country.
A Channel 4 Dispatches report found that 35,000 families in the UK visited a baby bank in 2018 to get equipment for youngsters.
While late Universal Credit payments – something The Sun has been calling on the government to reduce as part of its Make Universal Credit Work campaign – has left others with no choice but to use them.
London based baby bank Little Village, which believes it's become one of the largest baby banks in the UK since its launched in 2016, says it supported nearly 3,000 children last year alone.
While Baby Basics, which began in Sheffield, has seen a 93 per cent rise in those needing its services between 2016 and 2019.
And The Nappy Project in Stoke on Trent, which began in 2018, told us earlier this year how some new mums are being forced to eat baby food donations as they're so broke they can't afford to buy their own meals.
So if you're struggling to get by, here's when a baby bank might be able to help you.
Are baby banks different to food banks?
Often the first port of call for poor families is to be referred to a Trussell Trust run foodbank.
That's the charity behind a nationwide network of some 1,200 foodbanks across the UK, which you need to be referred to by organisations such as GPs, schools, or help organisations such as Citizens Advice.
Here, you're given a food voucher that you can swap in exchange for a parcel of non-perishable foods.
But food banks can also provide baby supplies including nappies, baby wipes and baby food.
Whether there are any baby items in stock though varies from food bank to food bank based on what donations have come in.
In this situation, the foodbank maybe able to recommend other organisations to turn to, and some of these include specialist "baby banks" run by local organisations and charities.
What do baby banks provide?
It's completely up to the baby bank what it's able to provide.
They typically dish out free toiletries and essentials purchased from donations, as well as distribute secondhand clothes, toys, and other items such as prams.
Little Village, for example, says it provides free clothes, toys and other kit for babies and children up to the age of five.
While Baby Basics provides Moses basket starter packs including newborn nappies and baby wipes, as well as clothing, pushchairs, toys and toiletries.
The Nappy Project hands out nappies, wipes, and food, as well as toiletries, sanitary wear, and medication, plus beds, cots, pushchairs, sterilisers, and baby baths.
How can I find a local baby bank?
There's no up-to-date tool listing every baby bank in the UK, so your best bet is to google what's available in your local area or ask charities such as Citizens Advice and Trussell Trust for information.
Also check on Facebook, as some baby banks, such as The Nappy Project only have Facebook pages rather than dedicated websites.
As a starting point, Little Village worked with Dispatches to create this interactive baby bank tool of more than 100 baby banks UK-wide, although this was in 2018 so the data may have changed since then.
Little Village itself has sites in Camden, Wandsworth, and Southwark in London.
Meanwhile, Baby Basics, while based in Sheffield has 30-plus locations around the UK – you can use its interactive map to find your nearest.
Another organisation is the Baby Bank Network, located in Bristol, which says it's helped similar organisations launch in Exeter, Isle of Wight, and North East Aberdeenshire.
While Stripey Stork is a baby bank based in Surrey.
Can I use a baby bank?
How to access a baby bank's service depends on the centre itself. Some may allow struggling families to contact them directly, while others require referalls from officials.
With Little Village and Stripey Stork, for example, you need to be referred by someone such as a midwife, family support worker, health visitor, food bank, social worker, or children’s centre.
They can do this via Little Village's and Stripey Stork's online referral forms.
Baby Bank Network also requires online referrals.
With Baby Basics, check with your local centre how to apply for help, while you can visit The Nappy Project's Facebook page to get in touch if you're struggling.
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