Packing Hope: A Monday Behind the Scenes at Baby Basics Leeds - by Kate Wright

A Monday Behind the Scenes at Baby Basics Leeds

Every Monday is Baby Basics day in Leeds — our baby bank volunteers meet to pack and deliver essential items for expectant and new mums across the city.

Over the weekend I shared our new referrals and what each one needs. Seven volunteers could make it this week.

Sorting Donations and Packing Referrals

By 9:30am we are at St Paul’s Church in Ireland Wood sorting donations and packing bundles. We aim to get items to mum around a month before her due date so she can feel prepared and not overwhelmed.

This week we have five referrals:

• One mum needs only a Moses basket and stand

• The others need baby clothes and toiletries for Mum and Baby

• Clothing bundles include sizes 3–6m and 6–9m

• One also requested a labour bag (nightie, breastfeeding bra, underwear and newborn hospital essentials)

One of our volunteers — a GP with young children — makes up labour/hospital bags at home when she can’t attend, and drops them at church for us to add to the bundles.

We pack every bundle to feel like a gift, tying it with ribbon so families feel supported and celebrated, not judged.

Delivering Through Archive Café, Kirkstall Road

By 11:30am everything is in my car and headed to Archive Café on Kirkstall Road. Archive have been a huge support to Baby Basics Leeds: we deliver labelled baskets there, I email the referrer, and health professionals can collect when it suits them. As we cover all of Leeds, a central pick-up point means midwife support workers can collect for multiple teams.

Why Baby Basics Exists — and How It Works

We only accept referrals from health professionals, who then deliver to families — many of whom are in very vulnerable circumstances.

Baby Basics Leeds relies on donated items including:

• Baths, Moses baskets and stands

• Baby clothes, towels, sleeping bags, muslins

• Toys and books

• Toiletries (donated new or purchased with funds)

We often use second-hand baskets but always provide a new mattress. Because demand is high, we sometimes have to buy baskets, baths and stands. Grants from the Household Support Fund make much of this work possible and we hope this funding continues.

Want to Support Baby Basics Leeds?

We are always welcoming to:

• new volunteers

• churches and groups wanting to partner

• individuals wishing to donate items or give financially

Thank You, St Paul’s

A huge thank you to St Paul’s Church in Ireland Wood for storage space, a place to pack, financial support, and their incredible volunteers.