Sat, 29 Mar 2025

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 Charity sees surge in baby starter pack referrals

Baby Basics now support one in 16 families with newborns across Northamptonshire.
A Northamptonshire charity that provides starter packs for newborns has seen a 97% increase in referrals over the last five years, with one in 16 babies born in the county now receiving support from the organisation. Baby Basics, which supplies moses baskets filled with essentials such as bed linen, toiletries and clothing, distributes around £450 worth of goods to new mothers facing financial hardship every time. The charity's co-founder Sabrina Oakey described the increase in referrals as "shocking", adding that the problem is not limited to families on benefits but also affects working families who are struggling to make ends meet. Baby Basics has now distributed over 3,000 starter packs since its inception in 2013, with referrals coming from a range of sources including NHS professionals and social services.
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