Baby Bank
Having a baby can be expensive! So Alternatives has a Baby Bank of donated baby clothes and equipment which is available to give to families on low or no incomes. Lots of the families we work with are in temporary accommodation or have No Recourse to Public Funds – which means they can’t get benefits and have to pay for healthcare.
The Baby Bank can be accessed via Alternatives’ drop-in Family Hub on Wednesday mornings at our centre in Forest Gate, or by appointment. As funds allow, the Baby Bank also provides supplies of nappies and baby toiletries.
The Baby Bank is managed by a part-time member of staff and a wonderful team of volunteers who wash, sort and distribute the items. We are also grateful to volunteers who send us lovingly hand knitted baby blankets and clothing.
As part of Alternatives’ holistic support, The Baby Bank helps to meet family’s urgent practical needs – warm clothing, somewhere to sleep, a buggy so they can go out. It also helps meet developmental needs as it includes toys so children can learn through play. And it reduces the stress on mums who worry about how to look after their children.
If you have good quality lightly used baby clothing, slings/carriers, pushchair and prams, bouncers or unopened nappies and baby toiletries to donate, please contact us to arrange drop off or collection (locally). You can be sure they will be re-used and appreciated many times over.