Starting Up
In 2019, in response to hearing about the hidden poverty in our area, I set up Small Stuff Baby Bank. Since this time, we have helped 100's of families on thousands of occasions, by providing them with pre-loved, free clothes, toys, books and equipment.
Myself (Rachel) and Paula, volunteer 7 days per week (between us) to running the baby bank. Other volunteers help remotely by sorting clothes, storing out of season items and cleaning buggies, in their homes. The community is very invested in the baby bank and passionate about supporting local families. We have been told that the baby bank is a treasured part of the local community. Please don't take my word for it and read the testimonies, below.
Challenges
As manager, a large part of my role is to continually apply for grants. We've been very fortunate to receive a grant from The National Lottery as well as other funders and of course, this amazing Crowdfunder community. However, the demand for our service is increasing and our current base has been sold. We therefore need to move, probably in the next 3 months, ideally to somewhere larger. This would enable us to recruit more volunteers to help the baby bank to reach demand.
Testimonies
Parent, 2022
"I am a mother who quiet regularly uses the baby bank and my most recent support from them was a complete kit out ready for the arrival of my baby who’s is due any day. Having the support has ment so much and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without these guys. Never once made to feel worthless or uncomfortable and always met with a friendly smile and chat whenever I visit them. I know myself lots of people of use the baby bank and have also recommended them to a few people.
Lots of people play a part in the baby bank from people donating to sorting (which I’d love to help with once my baby is born) but more importantly it improves of life of so many adults and children across the local community. Once again I wholeheartedly thank you all for your support". [sic]
Parent, 2022
"The baby bank has been great and has helped me out with clothes, toys, bedding etc.. The baby bank is really helpful especially now with the rising costs of everything.. I managed to get school uniform for my girls and then I was able to pay my bills and not have to worry about how I'm going to sort the kids school uniforms. I have donated bags and bags of stuff back to the baby bank once we no longer need the clothes or toys".
Carer, 2020
“I used to help the baby bank with my daughter and baby grandson. We find it helps our mental health to come in and help people. We like sorting the clothes out and helping families”
Parent, 2022
"I have 2 kids one has additional needs and extra care , the baby bank have helped me with clothes and large nappies for my son, im a single mum and strugle money wise so this has helped so much without there help we would of struggled and possibly gone without meals .there so kind friendly always welcoming very inviting ,its lovely to come in for a chat to , ive also helped alittle to with arrangeing clothes etc , the church building is lovely too, without there help id be very stuck mentally and fiananciy ,realy cannot thank them enough"[sic]
Last But by No Means Least
The baby bank continually encourages and facilitates the reuse of children's items. This in turn prevents thousands of items from going to landfill and provides a facility for donators to use to reduce the carbon footprint of their donated items.
Plans
With your help, we can cover our core costs (£2,000) for the next 6 months. This would buy us enough time to achieve charitable status (an application process already started but currently paused) and secure a larger grant(s) to secure our future, ideally for the next 3 years.
In achieving longer term funding, the first thing we need to do is find more space to enable us to open our doors, to bring volunteers and families into the baby bank; a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment where volunteers help families to find items which the families choose. This operational model was preferred by 70% of our members, in a recent survey we carried out. However, we recognise needs are not generic and therefore aim to continue providing packs for families to collect, where the family prefers to do so.
Other benefits of this model include, saving volunteers hours of time each day, in putting packs together and reducing the risk of wasting items that are not worn because they're not liked. More volunteers would be able to help in the baby bank, thereby allowing us to reach more families and reuse more items.
Thank you so much for reading our appeal.
Every £1 donated will be really appreciated and help to secure our future. We'd also really appreciate it if you could share this appeal, far and wide!
Thanks again
Rachel and the Small Stuff Baby Bank Team