What is a baby bank, how do I donate to one and how can I access support?

THE cost of living crisis has left many Brit families with young kids struggling. 

To help, Fabulous is launching Baby, Bank On Us, in partnership with Save The Children, Little Village and baby banks across the UK.

But what is a baby bank, how can you support your local one and how can you access help if you’re struggling? 

What is a baby bank?

There are over 200 baby banks in the UK which are run out of everywhere from shops, community centres, warehouse units to people’s living rooms and garages.

Baby banks have a specialist focus on providing essential items for babies and young children of parents living in poverty.

These items include: nappies, wipes and toiletries, clothing and shoes, bedding, Moses baskets, cots and blankets, toys and books.

Baby banks differ from food banks because they encourage donations of pre-loved items, making them sustainable for the planet.

Parents who use the banks often give back the items again to be reused by others once their child no longer needs it, allowing families to give back to the community that helped them when they were struggling is dignifying.

Many staff and  volunteers at baby banks have become the heart of the communities they help.

How do baby banks work and how do they differ?

Baby banks vary significantly. A lot of baby banks work by referrals only – parents could be referred to their local baby bank by their GP, a social worker, counsellor or even teachers.

Little Village, a London-based network, works with families who have been referred and they are then invited to drop by their local shop so staff and volunteers/staff help them.

Other baby banks, like Little Treasures in Horncastle, East Lincs, work by referrals as well but do not come into contact directly with families.

They operate out of a warehouse and items are delivered to families who have been referred.

Whereas others, like the Hartlepool Baby Bank, are open to anyone who drops by without a referral.

Many in this community see it as a place they can go for a cup of tea, companionship and general support.

Why is Fabulous launching this campaign and what are the aims?

Last year 4.2 million children in the UK were living in poverty and 800,000 children lived in a household that used a foodbank in 2022.

There is so much potential to grow the baby bank network in the UK so they can reach more families and continue with their incredible work.

Our community-focused initiative has three aims:  

How could my donation help a baby bank?

Money raised from this campaign will go towards helping existing baby banks make sure they have everything they need to help families and assist with costs to keep them running.

We are also hoping to help new baby banks to open in areas where they are lacking.  

Please donate to our fund by clicking here or scanning our QR code.

• £5 could buy one pack of nappies and wipes for a family  
• £10 could pay to deliver essentials an expectant mum needs for her newborn  
• £20 could pay for a pre-loved buggy to be cleaned, gifting a mum with a young child the freedom to get out and about
• £30 could pay for hygiene packs with everything needed to keep a baby clean, dry and safe for a whole month  
• £100 could pay for 5 children’s mattresses with bedding, keeping 5 young children safe and warm with a place to sleep  
• £250 could pay for 8 safe sleeping packages: a Moses basket, new mattress and sheets to keep newborn babies safe and warm  
• £500 could pay to deliver pre-loved newborn buggies to 25 families  
• £1,000 could support a team of volunteers to call 900 families, so that they are less isolated and get the help they need  
• £5,000 could pay for vital storage space to stock baby bank items for a whole year  
• £15,000 could pay for a first employee at a baby bank for a year

What should I donate to my local baby bank?

Each baby bank will typically have a wish list of items they need. The ages they support varies, along with the storage they have available, so it’s always best to check with your local baby bank first.

It’s also important to only pass on clothes that are in good condition, with no stains or tears, so that baby banks don’t have to pay for waste disposal.

Please check with your local baby bank about what items they need, but they usually accept:

• Clothes & shoes (0-6 years only)
• Beds & bedding (moses basket to toddler bed)
• Buggies, slings & carriers
• Baby kit (e.g. playmats & baby gyms)
• Feeding & weaning kit
• Highchairs
• Toys & books (suitable for small spaces)
• Bathing & changing kit (e.g. changing mats & towels)
• Nappies & toiletries (for baby, toddler & mum)

The baby banks often don’t accept the below for safety reasons so please don’t bring:

• Used mattresses, breast pumps, bottles teats or toiletries
• Car seats & car accessories
• Hiking-style carriers
• Single beds, bunk beds or larger
• Furniture (e.g changing tables)
• Pregnancy or maternity items
• Nappy bins & refills
• Reusable nappies & wipes
• Baby formula or baby food
• Food processors or milk prep machines
• Sleeping pods (e.g. Sleepyheads) or sleep positioners
• Cot bumpers or mobiles
• Curtains or blinds
• Medicines, vitamins & supplements

How can I find my local baby bank if I’m struggling? 

You can find your local baby bank by using the map here.

If you don’t live in an area where this is a baby bank, please see what other support could be available to you.