Baby Bank highlights the need for support on Mother's Day
As families across the country celebrate Mother’s Day, a baby bank in Brierley Hill is highlighting the growing number of local parents who are struggling to afford essential items for their children.
The charity works to prevent and relieve poverty by providing vital supplies for families with babies and toddlers, including clothing, toiletries, Moses baskets and other everyday essentials for children up to the age of two.
Set up in February 2019, the organisation supports families across the DY and B postcode areas who are experiencing financial hardship.
Referrals are made through health professionals, family support workers and community organisations, ensuring help reaches those who need it most.
Founder Maz Page told us this:
"In the Dudley Borough, we are the second highest level of deprivation in the UK, a recent statistic poverty report. And that's really disheartening, isn't it?"
"So we know there's a need and that's confirmed with all the data. We do have areas that are more deprived than other, but as a whole, we are the second highest deprived area in the UK.."
"So the need is high and we are seeing such an increase in what we do."
"For example, we've had a 96% increase over the last five years." She said.
"So 63% of our packs are for working families. "
"People don't realise that the highest percentage of need are those that are working really hard already."
"So it's not a stereotypical service that you access."
"There's such a wide variety of people, so many different stories on their own journey."
"We can help them through a referral service." Maz told us.
The baby bank focuses on supporting families during the first 1,001 days of a child’s life, a crucial period for development.
Some families receive help once, while others may access support several times during particularly challenging periods.
Donated items are carefully sorted, washed and packed into bundles tailored to each family’s needs.
Every Moses basket distributed also includes a brand-new mattress to follow safer sleep guidance from the Lullaby Trust, helping to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Alongside providing essential items, the charity also offers one-to-one support for some of the most vulnerable parents.
Trained staff work closely with families, offering guidance, emotional support and practical advice as they navigate the challenges of early parenthood.
Organisers say donations from the community are vital to their work, helping them provide comfort, dignity and hope to parents facing difficult circumstances.