West Cumbria Baby Bank
West Cumbria Baby Bank is a volunteer run project. Launched in September 2024, the project provides essential baby equipment, clothing and toiletries to women and families in across West Cumbria who are struggling with the financial and practical challenge of looking after a new baby.
West Cumbria Baby Bank
West Cumbria Baby Bank is a volunteer run project. Launched in September 2024, the project provides essential baby equipment, clothing and toiletries to women and families in across West Cumbria who are struggling with the financial and practical challenge of looking after a new baby.
It works through referrals from community midwives and health visitors, as well as social services and other agencies, and relies on the donation of good quality, second hand baby equipment and clothing from the local community.
West Cumbria Baby Bank improves post-natal safety and wellbeing of the baby and mother, as well as providing dignity and hope at this vulnerable time in their lives.
The award supports staffing costs for one year (a Project Manager and a Volunteer Coordinator). These roles are critical to the operation of the Baby Bank, overseeing referral preparation, donation management, volunteer coordination, purchasing, data management, and community engagement. The project currently operates two days per week for sorting and referral preparation, with an additional administrative day.
Project Impacts
Project Impacts
- Provide referrals of toiletries, clothing and essential equipment, via health professionals, to families of babies and young children in vulnerable and marginalised groups facing significant disadvantage including, teenage parents, unemployed, asylum seekers, refugees, families fleeing domestic abuse or trafficking, and others.
- Accept, sort and safety check donations of new and second-hand items from the public to prepare into referral packages.
- Respond to referrals in a timely manner.
- Work with other third sector organisations and the West Cumbria Poverty Forum to support families and children, highlighting issues and trends impacting them.
- Seek out and report on feedback from stakeholders.
- Keep records of referrals provided: items given out, number of children and adults supported, geographical location of impact
- Look for opportunities to react and expand service as required.