ABOUT US
Leeds Baby Bank is a small, but rapidly growing charity working to make sure no child goes without simply because they are born into a family experiencing poverty.
We give families new and pre-loved buggies, cots, toys and children’s clothes and we distribute essentials like nappies and formula milk in some of the most deprived areas of Leeds.
WHY DOES LEEDS BABY BANK EXIST?
Over 33,000 children are thought to be living in poverty in Leeds. In Leeds East and Leeds Central, over 45% of children are experiencing poverty*. As shocking as these figures are they probably under-represent the true number of children living in poverty.
Children experiencing poverty are more likely to face a wide range of difficulties, both in day-to-day life and for the future. A child experiencing poverty is more likely to grow up having poorer mental and physical health, a shorter life expectancy, lower educational attainment and lower paid, insecure work.
*The End Child Poverty Coalition
WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DO
Leeds Baby Bank is dedicated to ensuring all children can thrive and develop as they should by having a safe place to sleep, food to eat, and toys to grow and develop as they should.
We give families with young children, who are living in poverty, items such as pushchairs, moses baskets, toys and children’s clothes. This help is provided on a referral-only basis. Referrals are received from professionals working directly with families, such as social workers.
We also run sessions at community centres in some of the most deprived areas of Leeds. We offer families we meet at these sessions immediate help with essentials like nappies, formula milk and toiletries and signpost them to other support services.
Some of the items we give are pre-loved by another family first, but have passed our strict quality standards. By using pre-loved items, we can also reduce landfill and help promote a more sustainable city. Some items we have to buy new, such as mattresses and nappies, and for these we rely on financial donations from our supporters.
THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE
Every month, around 100 families in poverty are referred to Leeds Baby Bank and receive a care package of the items they need to help keep their little ones safe, growing and developing. A further 80-100 families a month are supported by the essentials we distribute through our community outreach programme.
In all, Leeds Baby Bank touches the lives of around 1000 children, parents and siblings each and every month.
Our team
Our team
Leeds Baby Bank was set up in January 2017 by the Co-Founders who had a shared interest in supporting families in and around Leeds. You can hear how Leeds Baby Bank was born here.
Today, our small staff team is supported by an army of amazing volunteers. Individuals volunteer in a variety of roles in our depot and in the local community, and we also provide placement opportunities for local colleges, universities and businesses.
Supporters of Leeds Baby Bank are a vital part of the team too! Whether you choose to donate pre-loved baby items, make a donation online, host a fundraising event or get your employer involved – we couldn’t help all the families we do without you.
OPENING HOURS
We are open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9.30am and 3pm. Friday 9.30am till midday.
The best way to contact us is to email us or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter. Please be aware that we are only open part time and our social media channels are staffed by volunteers who juggle this role with work and families, so please bear with us if we don’t respond straight away.
97% OF BENEFICIARIES AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED THAT LEEDS BABY BANK HAS MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR FAMILY'S MENTAL WELLBEING OVER THE PAST YEAR.
LATEST NEWS
Keep an eye out for all the latest news, case studies and events from Leeds Baby Bank.
