A grant from our Community Fund has helped local baby bank Love, Amelia to aid the expansion of their project and support refugees being resettled in the area because of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The Sunderland-based charity was awarded a grant for £1000 last September to purchase new items including underwear, bedding, mattresses and safety gates for children aged 0-11 years who would otherwise be without.
The grant from Karbon Homes has been used to provide 23 children aged between 5-11 years with new underwear which accompanied good quality, pre-loved clothing which is kindly by members of our community.
The grant has also made the homes of 7 children safer through the provision of safety gates which has helped to reduce risk of accidental injury and harm.
Safety gates are a large expense which many families cannot afford. Sadly, falls down the stairs are one of the most common causes of serious injury for crawling babies and toddlers, with other 40 children under five years being admitted to hospital each week following a fall down the stairs.
This grant has also purchased mattresses and bedding for an additional 14 children, aged from new born to 11 years and has helped to make a real difference to the families Love, Amelia support.
One family had fled from Afghanistan. They had a boy aged 3 years and the mum was heavily pregnant when they arrived. They had a carrier bag of belongings but no items for the unborn.
The social worker for the family said:
“We referred to Love, Amelia and were delighted with the level of support offered to this family. They received clothing, a thick winter coat, shoes, toiletries for all family members, bedding for the young boy and blankets for parents.
“Once the family were settled in accommodation, Love, Amelia provided the items the family would need to prepare for the arrival for their child as well as maternity products for mum to use post-partum. We were very touched by the extra’s provided to this family and the family were so grateful for this service.”
A health visitor for an 18-month-old girl and her mum who had settled in the area and awarded refugee status, said:
“The family live in an upstairs flat and the mum was using boxes at the top of the stairs to try stop the child from falling down the stairs. I referred for a safety gate and received it same day. This has been installed to doorway at the top of the stairs to reduce risk of the child falling.
“They were unable to afford even the most basic items and money was very limited. Love, Amelia has been a lifeline to this family and many others I have referred.”
A mum who has been supported with a cot bed, mattress, bedding, safety equipment, clothing and toys for her child, said:
“I was embarrassed that I couldn’t give my children what they needed and I got to such a low point that I couldn’t even buy some nappies. My health visitor referred me to Love, Amelia and I am so grateful for how much they helped me. They never judged me and they even provided some bits for me to help me through. I don’t know what I would have done without their support.”
We are thrilled to hear from Love, Amelia and grateful to them for sharing the impact this grant has had in the community. They are doing such amazing work supporting disadvantaged children and we are glad the grant has helped make a difference.
Love, Amelia is a Baby Bank which takes donations of new and pre-loved baby items and gifts them to families who need them most. We provide support to families with children aged 0-4 years living in Sunderland and South Tyneside. To find out more about Love, Amelia, visit their website
To find out more about the community support we offer, please visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/my-community
A grant from our Community Fund has helped local baby bank Love, Amelia to aid the expansion of their project and support refugees being resettled in the area because of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The Sunderland-based charity was awarded a grant for £1000 last September to purchase new items including underwear, bedding, mattresses and safety gates for children aged 0-11 years who would otherwise be without.
The grant from Karbon Homes has been used to provide 23 children aged between 5-11 years with new underwear which accompanied good quality, pre-loved clothing which is kindly by members of our community.
The grant has also made the homes of 7 children safer through the provision of safety gates which has helped to reduce risk of accidental injury and harm.
Safety gates are a large expense which many families cannot afford. Sadly, falls down the stairs are one of the most common causes of serious injury for crawling babies and toddlers, with other 40 children under five years being admitted to hospital each week following a fall down the stairs.
This grant has also purchased mattresses and bedding for an additional 14 children, aged from new born to 11 years and has helped to make a real difference to the families Love, Amelia support.
One family had fled from Afghanistan. They had a boy aged 3 years and the mum was heavily pregnant when they arrived. They had a carrier bag of belongings but no items for the unborn.
The social worker for the family said:
“We referred to Love, Amelia and were delighted with the level of support offered to this family. They received clothing, a thick winter coat, shoes, toiletries for all family members, bedding for the young boy and blankets for parents.
“Once the family were settled in accommodation, Love, Amelia provided the items the family would need to prepare for the arrival for their child as well as maternity products for mum to use post-partum. We were very touched by the extra’s provided to this family and the family were so grateful for this service.”
A health visitor for an 18-month-old girl and her mum who had settled in the area and awarded refugee status, said:
“The family live in an upstairs flat and the mum was using boxes at the top of the stairs to try stop the child from falling down the stairs. I referred for a safety gate and received it same day. This has been installed to doorway at the top of the stairs to reduce risk of the child falling.
“They were unable to afford even the most basic items and money was very limited. Love, Amelia has been a lifeline to this family and many others I have referred.”
A mum who has been supported with a cot bed, mattress, bedding, safety equipment, clothing and toys for her child, said:
“I was embarrassed that I couldn’t give my children what they needed and I got to such a low point that I couldn’t even buy some nappies. My health visitor referred me to Love, Amelia and I am so grateful for how much they helped me. They never judged me and they even provided some bits for me to help me through. I don’t know what I would have done without their support.”
We are thrilled to hear from Love, Amelia and grateful to them for sharing the impact this grant has had in the community. They are doing such amazing work supporting disadvantaged children and we are glad the grant has helped make a difference.
Love, Amelia is a Baby Bank which takes donations of new and pre-loved baby items and gifts them to families who need them most. We provide support to families with children aged 0-4 years living in Sunderland and South Tyneside. To find out more about Love, Amelia, visit their website
To find out more about the community support we offer, please visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/my-community
More news
Are you signed up for MyKarbon?
MyKarbon is a free, safe and secure online service that can be used anytime, anywhere, to manage your rent and repairs.
Recognising an ‘Unsung Hero’ in South Tyneside