New baby bank 'open to everybody'
The facility offers essential items for free, including clothes for babies and small children.
**New baby bank 'open to everybody'**
The baby bank is open every Tuesday morning.
The lead volunteer at a new baby bank, which hands out free children’s items to people in need, says it is "open to everybody".
The Newent hub of Forest of Dean Baby Bank at The Ark Cafe in Newent, Gloucestershire, provides everything from baby wipes and breast pumps to hats and swimwear, and can also arrange bigger items such as cots from a warehouse in Cinderford.
Helen Carter, the lead volunteer, says nobody will be means tested, and parents often collect new items while donating things their child has outgrown.
Kylie, a Newent mum who visited the baby bank, said: "It's always expensive to buy new baby things and food and nappies and wipes. So to have the support locally is wonderful."
Many of the items available at the facility are donated, which Carter said the team was "really, really grateful for".
At the moment, autumn clothing bundles are in demand, but volunteers have already begun assembling a Christmas box of festive clothing, blankets, and shoes.
"A lot of people say, 'I don't need it, I'm okay', but then a lot of people are just sort of managing their finances and are unable to have a nice day out with their children," Carter said.
"But if they [visit the baby bank], then they would be able to pay for that day out, so they might not think they're struggling, but it helps."
Parents who go to the baby bank often leave items they no longer need while taking away new things for their children.
In its latest Parent Experience Report, The National Childbirth Trust said nearly half of parents said they were struggling more financially after having a baby, a figure which rose to about six in ten among self-employed, unemployed or part-time employed parents.
Kylie, who was visiting the bank for the first time, said clothing and supplies for children were "always expensive".
"I'm quite lucky, I do have an older child as well, so I've got a lot of hand-me-downs," she said.
"But for everyone who hasn't got an older child and [do] formula feeding and things like that, it is very expensive to keep them clean and fed."
Volunteer Isabel said she wanted to give something back to the centre after receiving help with food parcels and clothing.
"I know from having three small children that there is a massive need in the area, so I think this is a great thing that we're doing here," she said.
"I just wish more people knew about it."
The baby bank is open every Tuesday morning from 09.30 to 11.30.