As the Cost-of-Living Crisis continues to hit local families with extreme financial hardship, a number are struggling to buy the essentials they need for their newborn and young babies. Knowing how many mothers in the area were struggling, a group of committed volunteers stepped up and created the Witney Baby Bank to help support struggling families with baby essentials on a temporary basis, once a month for up to 12 months.
“When we set up the Baby Bank, we thought it might be a temporary and emergency measure to help families through the initial lockdown,” explains Rosa Bolger, Founder of Witney Baby Bank. “However, it became very clear now that this issue is not going away any time soon. The Cost-of-Living Crisis has put additional stress on families already living on the edge and there needs to be more national support,” she says. “It is so heart-warming to see so many volunteers and organisations coming forward, offering their time and generous donations, and as long as this generosity continues and the need exists, we will continue to provide. We are keen, however, to see a future where we no longer need to exist.”
Thanks to donations received from members of the public, the Baby Bank is able to provide nappies (although larger sizes are desperately needed currently), wet wipes, formula milk, baby food and menstrual products for mums.
There are several donation points around Witney, including:
- 15 beech Road, Witney OX28 6LP
- The Mortgage Company, 104 - 106 Corn Street Witney
- The Yoga Room, Bridge Street, Witney
- Howden Insurance (A Plan) 4-8 Langdale Gate, Witney
- West Oxon Boxing Club , 12c Crawley Industrial Estate
- The Windrush Club 106 High Street, Witney
- House of Brands, Avenue 2, Witney
Witney Baby Bank is run by a group of committed volunteers who help with fundraising, social media, collecting donations and deliveries.
Families who need support should email witneybabybank@gmail.com or contact us via Facebook: facebook.com/witneybabybank
