We provide newborn baby moses basket starter packs to some of the most vulnerable pregnant women in our communities. The women are typically either homeless, refugees, fleeing domestic violence or in serious financial crisis. They are referred to our service via their health or social care professional, who is usually concerned that the baby would otherwise not have a safe place to sleep and will not be adequately provided for. Our packs contain everything a new mum and baby would need for the first three months post birth.
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Early Essentials is a well loved charity that has been running for 7 years. We are heavily relied upon by our local NHS maternity departments, health visiting teams, health and social care teams, women’s refuges and other local charities. We are an emergency service relieving the needs of our local communities’ most vulnerable pregnant women (or carers) unable to provide for their babies directly after birth.
We do this by providing newborn moses basket starter packs containing the early essential items for both child and parent. The women are referred via a referring agency (typically a midwife, health visitor, social worker, outreach worker, women’s refuge or charity) who have deemed her and/or baby, to be vulnerable and in need of our provision.
The people we help typically fall into one of the following categories: * Homeless * Refugee or seeking asylum * Fleeing domestic violence * In serious financial crisis
The packs are packed into Moses basket with a brand new mattress to ensure that baby has a safe place to sleep. This is essential, as the health professionals and safeguarding teams that we work with report that the rate of infant death in England is high as many of these babies are often put down to sleep in unsuitable places. The packs contain everything that a new mum would need for herself and baby post birth, including enough clothing to last for the first 3 months, nappies, wipes, toiletries for baby, a full set of toiletries for mum, breast pads and sanitary items, blankets, towels, muslin cloths, toys, books, treats for mum plus manny other essential items.
Examples of referrals received - “ I visited a lady today who has been placed in overcrowded accommodation with a mouse infestation, she is in a room with a mattress on the floor and has nothing ready for her baby, she’s 37 weeks pregnant” - Health Visitor, Rusholme.
” We have a lady who has just come into the refuge, she was thrown down the stairs by her partner as she is carrying a baby girl, not a boy. She has left the home with nothing so has nothing for the baby when she is born” - Women’s Aid Refuge
We have teams operating in Manchester, Stockport, Warrington, Peterborough, Whitby and Ballymoney.