Nearly 12,000 babies and children living in poverty across Wales received assistance from baby banks in the past year, according to new data from the Baby Bank Alliance. This support comes as nearly one in three children in Wales faces poverty, prompting baby banks across the country to step in with essentials like warm clothes, baby toiletries, books, and equipment.
The alliance’s report highlights a nationwide trend, showing a 54.4% increase in demand for services from 2021 to 2023 across the UK. This surge reflects a broader challenge affecting over 199,180 babies and children in need of support in 2023 alone across the UK and the Channel Islands.
With over 300 baby banks in operation, these initiatives have provided critical aid beyond tangible goods, supporting families in various ways amidst rising child poverty exacerbated by policies like the two-child limit. These banks, often run by volunteers in community spaces like halls and garages, not only distribute essentials but also offer a supportive environment for families to connect and share experiences.
Tracey Morgan from Splice Children and Family Project Ltd in Bridgend shared poignant stories illustrating the impact of these services, emphasizing how such support touches the lives of families in meaningful ways, especially during festive times like Christmas.
Vicky, a supermarket worker, expressed gratitude for the help received from the baby bank, highlighting its role in alleviating financial strain by providing essentials crucial for her child’s upbringing.
Sophie Livingstone, chairperson of the Baby Bank Alliance, stressed the importance of these services in filling gaps left by broader social support systems, urging for sustained efforts to combat child poverty effectively.
The alliance, a coalition of organizations dedicated to supporting baby banks, advocates for policy changes aimed at reducing child poverty, urging government action to address systemic issues affecting vulnerable families across the UK.
