The Parish Trust is excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Caerphilly Baby Bank, a new initiative that will provide essential baby and maternity supplies to families in need across Caerphilly County Borough Council and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Made possible by the charity’s recent lease of an industrial unit, and with the support of Caerphilly Cares, part of Caerphilly County Borough Council, the Baby Bank is set to open its doors in January 2025.
The Caerphilly Baby Bank will work closely with qualified health professionals to ensure that support is delivered where it is needed most. Access to the Baby Bank will be on a referral-only basis, meaning families will be referred through children’s services and healthcare professionals, ensuring that assistance reaches those in the most vulnerable circumstances. The referral partners will be responsible for picking up the packages and delivering them to families, to ensure confidentiality and safety.
Initially, the Baby Bank will serve the entire Caerphilly County Borough Council area, offering a lifeline to local families by providing baby and maternity clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials. The inclusion of maternity supplies makes this initiative particularly unique. While many baby banks focus primarily on baby items, the Caerphilly Baby Bank will also provide maternity clothing and hygiene products, helping to support mothers during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.
Research from the World Health Organisation highlights the importance of maternal health, noting that approximately 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, with the majority of these deaths occurring in low-resource settings. By providing practical support, the Baby Bank aims to alleviate some of the pressures that expectant and new mothers face, improving outcomes for both mothers and their babies.
Megan Roberts, a qualified Health Visitor who is volunteering her time and expertise to help set up the Baby Bank, commented:
“I’m thrilled to be involved in this important initiative. By working with healthcare and social care professionals, we’ll ensure that the Baby Bank is set up correctly to maximise its usefulness and reach to families who need it the most. The inclusion of maternity supplies is especially significant, as it helps to support both mother and child during one of the most critical times in their lives.”
The Baby Bank will dovetail with other essential services provided by The Parish Trust, such as the CARE Project, allowing the charity to offer a broad range of support all under one roof. By providing practical help with baby and maternity items in-house, while also connecting with specialist organisations where needed, The Parish Trust is creating a more holistic support system for families. This integrated approach ensures that vulnerable families have access to comprehensive resources and services to meet their various needs, from food support to baby supplies and beyond.
This initiative also aligns with research from Public Health Wales’ First 1000 Days programme, which stresses the critical importance of a child’s early years. According to the research, the first 1000 days of a child’s life, from pregnancy to age two, are crucial for physical, emotional, and cognitive development. These early experiences have lifelong impacts on health, wellbeing, and educational outcomes. By offering support to both babies and their mothers during this essential period, The Parish Trust is helping ensure that families have the resources they need to thrive. The Baby Bank complements other children’s programmes run by The Parish Trust as part of a holistic approach to family support.
Initially, the Baby Bank will collect donations of baby and maternity clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials. Specific bundles will also be created, such as hospital stay packs for new mothers and newborn packs for babies. The Parish Trust will soon be asking the public for donations, and details on how to get involved will be announced shortly. Dedicated pages for the Baby Bank will also be launched on The Parish Trust’s website in due course.
Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts, CEO of The Parish Trust, said:
“The launch of the Caerphilly Baby Bank reflects our commitment to supporting vulnerable families and giving them chance to live their lives more fully. We are working closely with our partners and the community to ensure that the Baby Bank meets the needs of local families in a way that is both dignified and impactful. I’m very proud that The Parish Trust is agile and responsive enough to continually adapt to emerging needs and opportunities. With a gifted team of people leading on its implementation, Caerphilly Baby Bank will become an exemplar project that demonstrates positive social change and will safeguard the futures of many children.”
Anyone who would like to be involved in the project, become a referral partner, or donate baby and maternity supplies can email our dedicated Baby Bank team at babybank@theparishtrust.org.uk for further details. The Baby Bank Project also has its own dedicated page at www.theparishtrust.org.uk/babybank
