Demand at baby bank 'has never been higher'

The founder of a community organisation which provides free clothes, toys and equipment for children said demand had "never been higher".

Hartlepool Baby Bank sees about 150 families a week which is a tenfold rise in those needing help since 2019 when it opened.

Chair Emilie de Bruijn said: "Parents can't find work that fits round children, childcare costs keep rising, people are just really struggling."

The Department for Education, which subsidises childcare, has been approached for comment.

The bank was started by de Bruijn and two friends after they realised "there was a real need".

Government figures for 2024/25 show 27% of children in Hartlepool are living in absolute poverty, measured as a household income below 60% of the national average.

"We started with six families our very first week, 12 on our second, then 30, then 50 - people just kept coming," she said.

Anyone can ask for help ranging from "a bit of advice" to an emergency service where they deliver "everything needed for the first few days" in the case of an unexpected or early birth.

People are also asking for more items than before, de Bruijn said.

"We have had 139 brand new families this year, and more than 2,000 repeat referrals, that's families who we have already helped," de Bruijn said.

"A few years ago they'd just be looking for shoes, now they need coats, they need clothes as well."

Any donations are welcome but cots, toiletries, nappies and maternity pads are particularly needed - "even opened packets".

"It's one family to another, it's a community supporting itself," de Bruijn said.

"So many people who come to us are working-poor, but they are stuck in this cycle they can't get out of because of childcare costs and that means demand for our help has never been higher."

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