Baby bank stocking up after securing permanent home
The Brierley Hill Baby Bank has secured its own permanent home after months of fundraising.
At the start of the month, they were awarded a National Lottery Community Fund grant, which has enabled them to pay the rent on the new building for the next 12 months.
The team of volunteers worked hard moving the stock into their new premises which is at least three times the size of their previous location.
Formerly, the Baby Bank was located at the Black Country Food Bank, who allowed them to use their space free of charge.
As the demand for their service grew, the Baby Bank needed to move to a larger space to house all their donations and that was accessible to their volunteers.
Maz Page, founder, said: "Before we moved here, my home and some of our volunteers homes were full of donations.
"It's great because we can all come here whenever we need to and leave the donations here.
"It's a lovely large space which helps us keep everything organised and it's clean and dry, which was very important to us."
The Baby Bank now has 12 volunteers who help out in their spare time.
Jade Blazejewska, a volunteer, said: "I do this because I want to give something back, I've been through some things and want to help out others who are struggling."
Parents are referred to the baby bank through professional services, the baby bank then provides them with a pack suitable for their baby’s age.
The packs can include items such as nappies, a Moses basket, clothing and toys.
All of the items are brand new or as good as new, and anything they can't take we give to other organisations who can use them so nothing is wasted.
Maz added: "These packs have to be given with dignity, we don't want people to feel like they are being given cast offs, it has to give them pride, dignity and that feel good factor.
"Having a baby is something to look forward to, teaching these parents they can ask for help at the start develops a pattern for them to know there is help there, they just have to make that step."
Donations are made by families and other organisations including NCT Halesowen and Stourbridge and Barnardo's and items can be dropped into at The Britannia Pub in Wollaston.
Earlier this summer, the Baby Bank held a fun day at the pub to raise funds and awareness of their cause.
The event raised £1,276 which is helping cover the business rates at the new premises.
