The cost of newborn essentials soon adds up and no new parent should have to struggle to afford them. That’s why we’re working with community groups to lend a hand where one is needed.
Behind the doors of St John’s Church in Percy Main, North Shields, volunteers are busy sorting through bundles of items for the new North Shields Baby Bank.
Around them hang rails of soft sleepsuits, drawers lined with warm outfits, carefully stacked piles of nappies and boxes of baby toiletries.
These are just the latest kind donations from members of the community to the baby bank, which was set up by the church and Karbon Homes in the summer.
The project has so far helped 24 struggling parents who have fallen on hard times, providing vital provisions, such as nappies, wipes, infant clothing, and baby formula. And now new donations are helping to ensure more families are supported.
We provided £4,935 from our Community Grants Fund to help the team from St John’s Church to get the service up and running.
Let’s hear from the people involved…
Reverend Lee Cleminson, Vicar at St John’s Church:
“We’ve all heard of food banks and know what a valuable lifeline they are for people struggling. However, as a result of parents discreetly contacting the vicarage, asking for help, there was a clear need for a similar scheme which supplied basic baby items.
One mother who came to the church for help explained that she was having to choose between charging her electric meter and buying nappies for her beautiful newborn baby boy. She was desperate and said she never, ever thought she’d see herself in this position. It was a conversation with Melanie Rees from Karbon Homes, our Community Connector for the area, which really got the ball rolling. Despite having to postpone the initial launch of the service because of the pandemic, we’ve spent time developing connections with local organisations in the area, such as The Cedarwood Trust in Meadow Well and Family Gateway in Wallsend, which are both referring parents and helping us to reach as many families as we can.”
Baby bank user:
“I was caught out when my baby girl arrived early and as I was discharged from hospital, a local community worker contacted the Baby Bank at St John’s on my behalf as I had nothing.
The volunteers provided me with the most beautiful baby bundle. I was so overwhelmed with what had been done, not only for me but for my innocent baby girl. If it wasn’t for the help of the Baby Bank, I don’t know what I would have done or where I would have turned.”
For information about the service, either email stjohnpercymain@tiscali.co.uk or contact through Facebook,
fb.com/StjohnsBabyBank.
Donations of baby items, such as baskets, clothes or any other essentials will also be gratefully received.
Need help in your area?
Lifeline Community Action offers support across County Durham. Its Children’s Blessings project offers emergency support to help families with items such as baby toiletries, nappies, cots/beds, pushchairs, safety equipment and pre-loved clothing. Email: officelifelinecommunityaction@ gmail.com or call 07936431262
Love Amelia is a charity in Sunderland supporting parents with bundles of clothing, bedding, toys, pushchairs and similar items. Call 0191 716 5448 or email hello@loveamelia.org.uk
BACMAN's in Lynemouth provide children’s clothes, school uniforms, toys and books as part of their Clothing and Toy Hub. Call 01670 860060
Darlington Baby Bank offers free preloved baby clothes and equipment to families. Call 07711927360 or email babybankdarlington@gmail.com
The Bay Foodbank delivers food parcels all over North Tyneside and have recently been funded £2,000 by Karbon to provide families in need, breakfast and dinner on Christmas Day. Visit www.thebayfoodbank. org.uk or call 07974812720
“Could your community project benefit from some financial support from Karbon Homes? If your work helps to improve lives in our communities, then we’d love to hear from you to discuss a potential grant or other support. Get in touch via email at mycommunity@karbonhomes.co.uk” - Melanie Rees, Community Connector
The cost of newborn essentials soon adds up and no new parent should have to struggle to afford them. That’s why we’re working with community groups to lend a hand where one is needed.
Behind the doors of St John’s Church in Percy Main, North Shields, volunteers are busy sorting through bundles of items for the new North Shields Baby Bank.
Around them hang rails of soft sleepsuits, drawers lined with warm outfits, carefully stacked piles of nappies and boxes of baby toiletries.
These are just the latest kind donations from members of the community to the baby bank, which was set up by the church and Karbon Homes in the summer.
The project has so far helped 24 struggling parents who have fallen on hard times, providing vital provisions, such as nappies, wipes, infant clothing, and baby formula. And now new donations are helping to ensure more families are supported.
We provided £4,935 from our Community Grants Fund to help the team from St John’s Church to get the service up and running.
Let’s hear from the people involved…
Reverend Lee Cleminson, Vicar at St John’s Church:
“We’ve all heard of food banks and know what a valuable lifeline they are for people struggling. However, as a result of parents discreetly contacting the vicarage, asking for help, there was a clear need for a similar scheme which supplied basic baby items.
One mother who came to the church for help explained that she was having to choose between charging her electric meter and buying nappies for her beautiful newborn baby boy. She was desperate and said she never, ever thought she’d see herself in this position. It was a conversation with Melanie Rees from Karbon Homes, our Community Connector for the area, which really got the ball rolling. Despite having to postpone the initial launch of the service because of the pandemic, we’ve spent time developing connections with local organisations in the area, such as The Cedarwood Trust in Meadow Well and Family Gateway in Wallsend, which are both referring parents and helping us to reach as many families as we can.”
Baby bank user:
“I was caught out when my baby girl arrived early and as I was discharged from hospital, a local community worker contacted the Baby Bank at St John’s on my behalf as I had nothing.
The volunteers provided me with the most beautiful baby bundle. I was so overwhelmed with what had been done, not only for me but for my innocent baby girl. If it wasn’t for the help of the Baby Bank, I don’t know what I would have done or where I would have turned.”
For information about the service, either email stjohnpercymain@tiscali.co.uk or contact through Facebook,
fb.com/StjohnsBabyBank.
Donations of baby items, such as baskets, clothes or any other essentials will also be gratefully received.
Need help in your area?
Lifeline Community Action offers support across County Durham. Its Children’s Blessings project offers emergency support to help families with items such as baby toiletries, nappies, cots/beds, pushchairs, safety equipment and pre-loved clothing. Email: officelifelinecommunityaction@ gmail.com or call 07936431262
Love Amelia is a charity in Sunderland supporting parents with bundles of clothing, bedding, toys, pushchairs and similar items. Call 0191 716 5448 or email hello@loveamelia.org.uk
BACMAN's in Lynemouth provide children’s clothes, school uniforms, toys and books as part of their Clothing and Toy Hub. Call 01670 860060
Darlington Baby Bank offers free preloved baby clothes and equipment to families. Call 07711927360 or email babybankdarlington@gmail.com
The Bay Foodbank delivers food parcels all over North Tyneside and have recently been funded £2,000 by Karbon to provide families in need, breakfast and dinner on Christmas Day. Visit www.thebayfoodbank. org.uk or call 07974812720
“Could your community project benefit from some financial support from Karbon Homes? If your work helps to improve lives in our communities, then we’d love to hear from you to discuss a potential grant or other support. Get in touch via email at mycommunity@karbonhomes.co.uk” - Melanie Rees, Community Connector
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