Karis Baby Bank
Karis Baby Bank is a provision for families with newborns and infants up to the age of two years old who are facing hardship and/or crisis which means they need help with essentials for their baby. This provision is based on referrals from other organisations and groups who are well placed to assess the need and identify what items families need, this includes social workers, children's centres, health workers and other charities.
Our focus is on supporting families in and around the Ladywood area, although we do work with referral agencies more widely where there is acute need.
We currently support around 500 families a year through this provision.
Our focus is on supporting families in and around the Ladywood area, although we do work with referral agencies more widely where there is acute need.
We currently support around 500 families a year through this provision.
Donations
We rely a great deal on the generous donations from people across the city who have good quality items they no longer need who kindly bring them to us for redistribution to families in need. A full list of what we accept is below, and you can also find more information on our Facebook page. We also gratefully receive donations of new nappies (we will accept open packets), formula and toiletries. We have an Amazon list which is constantly updated with our most pressing needs if you'd like to buy anything for the baby bank - these are delivered directly to us.
Cash donations are always helpful to support the purchase of new items eg. changing mats, mattresses etc. If you'd like to give cash please go to our Donate page.
Referral Agencies
If you work with families in and around the Ladywood area and would like to find out if you could be a referral agency please contact babybank@karisneighbourscheme.org for more details.
Donations to the baby bank
We can only offer our service to families because of the kindness of people across the city who offer us their high quality used goods or support us with cash donations. We accept donations year round and particular needs at any one time are announced on our Facebook page.
We also have an active Crowdfunder appeal which you can find here. Donating to this fund helps us buy nappies, toiletries and other new items that are much needed by families.
Baby bank accepts donations of the following items (for children up to two years old):
Pushchairs, buggies and prams (especially those for newborn babies)
Cots (as long as they don't have drop down sides)
Moses baskets
Bedding
Clothes 0-24m - including coats, shoes and pram suits
Small toys and books
Toiletries - baby lotion, shampoo, conditioner - for babies and mums
Nappies (even opened packets)
Baby wipes
Formula (with BBE date of six months forward) and baby food
New mattresses (we do not accept second hand mattresses)
Baby baths
Baby bouncers (but not Jumperoos!)
Maternity pads and breast pads
Treats for new mums and for our support workers
New bottles and teats
Please note that we don't take electrical items or large toys.
Karis Baby Bank is kindly supported by hundreds of individuals across the city who donate their used goods and purchase items from our Amazon list - thank you!
We are also supported by a number of Trusts, Foundations and businesses including:
Trusthouse Foundation
Richard Kilcuppes Trust
ArmacMartin
George Henry Collins Trust
George Fentham Trust
Zurich Municipal
Hortons Social Purpose Committee
Property for Kids
CB & HH Taylor Trust
Lord Austin Trust
Albright Grimley Trust
Skipton Building Society
Warburtons Community Fund
Martin Carter Associates
Hobson Charity
Leeds Building Society
Arnold Clark Community Fund
Ambergate Trust
Garfield Weston Foundation
Baby Bank Alliance - partner support