Bristol Baby Bank assistance programmes

Families on a low income can get help from the Bristol Baby Bank Network. The charitable organisation assists hundreds of mums and dads each year, including those single parents that have only one source of income in their home. Using donations from the community, free pre-loved baby supplies, clothes, and more are given to mums and dads that can’t afford to buy the items on their own.

Mums on a low income often struggle to pay for all the stuff their new baby needs. Not only living expenses such as their cost of electricity go up due to an extra person living in the home, but there are all the items that the newborn needs as well. Some of them are very costly to buy, such as nappies or wipes. The Network will provide these goods as well to the needy.

There are many types of free baby items given out. The stuff may include cloth nappies, prams, bottles, slings, maternity clothes, and much more. The donation of the goods will help families in need of support at an often stressful and expensive time of their lives. In addition, the Bristol Baby Bank Network will also promote reuse of all of these items to cut back on waste.

The charity does not give out car seats or highchairs due to safety requirements. Mattresses also will not be distributed. However any family that needs these items can still call on their social worker. As they may be able to link the client to another local Bristol charity that has these goods. Or even a second hand furniture store may be used for a mattress. Or the health visitor may help the vulnerable family apply for a local welfare scheme, which may provide the goods they need.

The Bristol network also helps at Christmas. Since there may be baby toys given to the charity as a donation, dads and mums local to Bristol may be given some toys for their children. These will be free Christmas gifts that can help the family during the holiday. Or they can refer families to other holiday resources, including Salvation Army Christmas gift schemes or meals

Supplies needed by the Bristol Baby Bank Network

Donations are always needed as well. There are events held during the year in which donors can give back to the vulnerable. In some cases a volunteer may collect the items from someone who can’t make it to an event, so they can drop in at a home to pick up the stuff to be distributed. The items donated need to be safe to use and in good condition. Please clean them as well before giving them to the Bristol Baby Bank Network. If an event can’t be attended, then email donations@babybanknetwork.com.

The charity also accepts monetary donations. For those individuals that just want to help mums and dads with kids, they can give cash to the Network. All of this money will go directly to assisting clients and purchasing goods for the network. As an example, since a car seat can’t be distributed due to the safety reasons, the cash may go to buy these items for a new mum. All donations go to buy the baby stuff that families need, and the goods are given to them at no cost.

The charity does not accept applications directly from people in need. Instead they partner with social service agencies across the city of Bristol. A health visitor can contact the charity, or a worker from a local children’s centre or agency such as the Salvation Army will have details.