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Baby Necessities in Romsey: Combatting poverty and supporting parents
Since starting in 2020, Baby Necessities in Romsey has seen a 200 per cent increase in referrals due to challenges caused by Covid and the cost-of-living.
Co-founder Hayleigh Jarvis, 32, was inspired by a Dispatches documentary which highlighted the growing need for baby banks when it struck her that Romsey didn’t have one.
So Hayleigh left behind a career as a pharmacy technician at Southampton General Hospital and recruited the help of her friend Lauren Denham, 33, to support families during hardship and rehome pre-loved baby items to reduce waste.
The charity, in Premier Way, collects items such as clothes, toys, cots, prams and equipment to re-distribute them to parents in need through third-party referrals from professionals like community midwives, health visitors, GPs, family support workers, social workers and teachers.
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All stock is cleaned and if needed safety checked before being re-gifted to families in Southampton and surrounding areas.
The baby bank posts a Wednesday wishlist on Facebook to share what donations it needs based on referrals.
Funding and communications manager, Lauren, said: “Poverty is really high in Southampton compared to the rest of the country. We’re filling a gap by providing support that the council can’t and also saving midwives time.
“People are grateful that they’ve got somewhere to take their things and they’re not going into landfill. And the midwives are so thankful to know that the babies are going to have a place to sleep.
“We’re so lucky with the donations we get. The general public is great locally and we’re lucky to be in quite an affluent area. When you’re a parent you really resonate with that need to be able to provide.”
Fellow funding and communications manager, Gillian Wilkins, said: “People still don’t know about us but we still manage to get donations and from further afield too. People like to know their stuff is going to a good cause. It’s massively rewarding I love it.
“We like to present our bundles like a gift to make the recipients feel special – a lot of our beneficiaries cry. What’s also quite nice is sometimes people bring some stuff back after they’re done so it’s a real recycling effort.”
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Chair of trustees, Marianne Harris-Bridge, said: “We’re doing such wonderful stuff here. Our biggest challenge is getting the name out so we can support those families.
“The sad thing is demand is growing but if I can use my expertise to give something back that’s great.”
New volunteer Melanie Jones said: “I heard about Baby Necessities through social media and dropped some stuff off. I like organising things and miss being able to help others at work so this was perfect. The short sessions are ad hoc so I can fit them in around everything else and come away with a sense of fulfilment.
“There’s always a stack of referrals for people in need so it’s nice to know that there are people benefitting. The need seems higher than ever.”
As well as pre-loved items the baby bank offers free cakes and birthday bundles for kids up to 11 in association with Give a Gift.
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The charity has also launched a baby weighing clinic and trialled its first awareness day encouraging businesses and nearby schools to wear pink or green.
In July, Baby Necessities is hosting its first charity dinner dance at Kimbridge Barn with a three-course dinner, a DJ and a live auction with luxury prizes up for grabs. Tickets cost £42 per person and are available at babynecessities.co.uk/shop/ols/products/summer-dinner-dance-tickets.
The Romsey baby bank relies on donations, referrals and volunteers. Wish lists go out on Wednesday with donation mornings on Tuesday and Friday. The baby self-weighing clinic is open at the Premier Centre on the first Thursday of the month from 10am-1pm. For more information go to babynecessities.co.uk/.
