A Bedford-based charity has paused accepting donations of toys and clothes after being “overwhelmed” by generous gifts from the community.
Faces, a charity supporting children and families, runs a baby bank that assists approximately 1,200 families annually. The organization has decided to stop taking certain items after an influx of donations, particularly as people cleared out their homes ahead of Christmas.
Jennie Bayliss, chair of trustees and lead for the baby bank, thanked the people of Bedford for their generosity. She noted that many of the donations came from families the charity had previously assisted, who wanted to give back.
The baby bank, which began two years ago, operates three times a week by appointment—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—for families with children under seven. It provides essential items such as clothing, shoes, school uniforms, toiletries, nappies, baby formula, toys, prams, and cots from its location in Manton Industrial Estate.
In 2024, the baby bank helped 1,200 families, an increase from 1,100 in 2023, and currently has eight volunteers.
“Just before Christmas, we started receiving more donations than usual, as people were clearing out their homes,” Bayliss explained. “We’ve been inundated with kindness. It shows how thoughtful people are.”
She added that while the bank cannot accept any more toys or clothes at the moment, it will always accept cots and prams, which are in constant demand.
“Many of the donations come from families we’ve helped in the past,” Bayliss said. “They say, ‘You helped us last year, and now we want to give back.’ As their children grow, they send more donations.”
Bayliss believes the baby bank’s growth and increasing popularity are linked to its larger premises, which opened in February 2024, and the growing awareness of its services.
“People know about us and trust that we can help,” she said. “We’re really grateful for the support. It’s positive, but we just need to manage the space we have.”
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