An East Lancashire health clinic and baby bank, which supports parents throughout and after their pregnancy, has seen a huge increase in referrals since the cost of living crisis hit.
Founder of Snowdrop Doula, Michelle Bromley-Hesketh, says referrals to their support hub has doubled in recent months.
Desperate families, from Blackburn, Darwen and other areas of East Lancashire, have come to the organisation to pick up donated and discounted baby products, such as food, clothing and prams.
Michelle has also seen an increase in those coming for mental health support as inflation continues to climb and energy prices are set to soar even higher from October.
Worryingly, Michelle says there has been an increase in referrals from families on a “reasonable wage”, who don’t have enough disposable income to afford cots, prams and other items for their new arrivals.
Michelle, from Accrington, said: “Referrals to our support hub have doubled over the last couple of months in terms of support needed with the cost of living.
“Many people have found they are struggling with the cost of living and other changes in their lives, while many are also struggling to deal with the knock-on-effects from Covid.”
The organisation opened the baby bank more than 10 years ago, with the aim of the scheme being to eliminate food and clothing waste whilst helping the local community.
Now, she has set up an extension of the baby bank called the ALBI scheme, which helps struggling families to afford larger items, such as cots and baby gates, as the cost of living in the UK increases.
“This new scheme takes the baby bank a step further,” Michelle said.
“This new scheme offers larger items, such as new cots, stairgates and prams, at a much cheaper price. We don’t make any profit off them.”
The scheme is designed to help those who have a working wage but don’t have enough disposable income to afford some items.
She said: “We are seeing more of a need for support from people across a wide range of incomes.
“People who come to us aren’t necessarily out of work and actually have a good income.
“However, their disposable income is decreasing and they are struggling more and more to afford certain items due to higher housing costs.”
To be eligible for the scheme you need to:
- Be a resident in a BB postcode
- Be eligible for qualifying benefit or have exceptional circumstances
- Be more than 25 weeks pregnant
- Have a referral from a health professional
The organisation will consider each request on a case-by-case basis.
They are also hoping to expand the scheme beyond the BB postcodes to help families across the rest of Lancashire.
For more details, contact Michelle on support@snowdropdoula.co.uk or 01282 926410, or visit snowdropdoula.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel