baby bank supports county durham families

New parents in a County Durham community now have access to baby supplies they might not be able to afford, thanks to funding from believe housing.

The Building Bearpark Community Partnership has set up a Baby Bank to support local families with babies by providing basic baby essentials, including nappies, wipes, baby baths and car seats.

After starting as a clothes swap group, the organisation received so many donations that it established a formal community group to manage the project.

Now anyone in the Bearpark community, regardless of their circumstances, can pick up essentials for their baby or toddler from its site at Ushaw College.

Pam Hilton, Treasurer for Building Bearpark Community Partnership, said: “We have helped over 100,000 families in the area and our moto is ‘no one should go without’.

“There are so many families struggling out there and we want to build bridges in the local communities to help people who would just go unnoticed.”

The organisation received a £1000 grant from believe housing to support the baby bank.

With the funding, it has been able to purchase items such as toiletries, nappies, milk, bottles and more essentials to create care packages for both mother and baby. The money has also helped to cover rent and to set up their Ushaw College storage site.

Anne-Marie Parkin, Community Investment Coordinator for believe housing, said: “We know that the rising cost of living has also seen prices for basic baby essentials rise more and more, making it harder for some new families to get the supplies they need for their babies.

“Funding the baby bank in Bearpark will provide better access to these essentials, meaning families can provide the best start in life for their babies.”