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Increase in demand for family charity support

Chris Craddock
BBC Jersey communities reporter
BBC Vicky smiles at the camera as behind her two women are working on packing a Moses basket bed with clothes for a baby. Vicky is wearing a dark blue dress and she has shoulder length brown hair.BBC
Vicky Clayton from Baby Basics - Jersey says the charity is getting more referals for support packs

A Jersey charity says it is seeing an increase in demand for the support it offers young families in the island.

Baby Basics – Jersey is part of a network across the UK that provides support to new parents struggling with the financial impact of having a baby.

It was set up in the island 18 months ago and works with midwives, health visitors, and other local organisations that provide referrals to the charity.

The charity has called for more donations of items such as clothes for young children and wipes, nappies, and toiletries for babies to make sure it can keep meeting demand.

There is a shelf with some packets of nappies on with a sign saying 'Low on supplies' in a white font on an orange, circular cutout which has been laminated and attached to the shelf.
The charity is calling for more donations to help meet the growing demand for support

Centre leader Vicky Clayton said it showed how successful the charity had been since starting.

She said they used to get a couple of referrals a month but it was now sometimes "four or five referrals a week".

"We've been really lucky and had funding to pay for the Moses baskets and beds but we really need those pre-loved clothes because of the increase in referrals and we want to make sure we provide good quality packs," Ms Clayton added.

The charity has called for more neutral clothes and clothes for boys who are under a year old.

Stephanie smiles at the camera as the donation box is to her left. She is wearing a big black coat with a black jumper under it. She has long dark brown hair which comes below her shoulders. She is wearing glasses with a black rim.
Stephanie Poll is a Jersey mum who wants to make sure parents who are struggling have the help they need

Stephanie Poll is a new mum who has been supporting Baby Basics – Jersey with clothing donations.

She said it was "an opportunity for me to give my child's old clothes to someone who really needs them".

Ms Poll added: "I think children now can be more of a financial decision than an emotional one so it can be difficult but with support from Baby Basics then hopefully it won't be a struggle to get from one day to the next."

Cat smiles at the camera as she's sat at a table. She is wearing a black jumpers with knitted flowers on it. She has light brown hair and behind is shelving with cuddly toys on it.
Cat Burke from Family Nursing & Home Care works with the charity to help families

Family Nursing and Home Care (FNFC) is one of the organisations that make referrals to Baby Basics – Jersey and distributes the support packs to parents.

Cat Burke from FNFC said: "We can see the worth and love that goes into the baskets and it's such a journey from the referral to the people who make the baskets, which are then passed to us to deliver to the families."

Baby Basics – Jersey is based at St Mark's Church and people can order items from its Amazon Wishlist as well as making donations in person.

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