Our Impact

Why do we need baby banks?

Child poverty is a growing problem in the UK.

There were 4.2 million children living in poverty in the UK in 2018-19. That’s 30 percent of children, or nine in a classroom of 30.

Source: cpag.org.uk

There are expected to be 5.2 million children living in poverty in the UK by 2022.

Source: cpag.org.uk

‘Living in poverty’ in this context means living in a household with less than 60% of the average UK household income. In 2019, this figure was £29,400. Meaning 4.2 million children were living in households with incomes of less than £17,640.

Research shows that in 2019 alone, more than 35,000 families have used baby banks to obtain vital items such as bottles, clothes, cots, nappies, wipes, prams and pushchairs. Comparable to food banks, baby banks give away basic baby items – largely donated by members of the public – that are crucial to people in need.

But the people using baby banks are not only families living in poverty or those on benefits – but those escaping domestic violence, refugees, families affected by the switch to Universal Credit and even working parents who can’t earn enough to cover rent, food and utilities on top of the necessities required to bring up a baby.

That was taken from an article published in ‘GoodToKnow.co.uk’ - you can read the whole thing here.

These are the stories we are hearing from people using our service. The cost of living in many areas of Sussex is amongst the highest in the UK. People on lower incomes can struggle to find secure housing situations and can be plunged into unmanageable debt through a sudden change in circumstances such as redundancy or ill health. Other life changes, such as relationship breakdown, bereavement, seeking refuge from domestic violence can all also leave people struggling.

Baby Banks, like foodbanks, can help people get through a tough period by providing some relief, at least in one area of their lives. Knowing their children have clothes, nappies and a bed of their own to sleep in, can make an immediate difference to someone who has lost their income. Safety latches, highchairs and stairgates can enable a parent to create a child-safe environment in their temporary housing. Providing double buggies, car seats and carry cots can help people get out and about with their kids, doing the school run or going to baby groups.

In October 2018 Channel 4’s Dispatches made a programme about the growing need for baby banks. You can find it here.