My visit to a baby bank was eye-opening - we need to do more as a society to help support new mums, says Ashley James

WHEN Ashley James arrived at her local baby bank with a huge bag of donations, she didn’t quite expect them to be snapped up within minutes.

We joined the DJ and presenter as she spent a morning volunteering at Baby Basics in Chelmsford, Essex and she didn’t come empty handed – bringing a pushchair, a pink baby bath support, a baby nest, a wooden baby gym and a bag full of clothes.

How YOU can support Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign

– Give money by donating here or by scanning the QR code.

– Give clothing, toys and essentials to a baby bank, wherever you are in the UK.

– Give your time volunteering. To find your nearest baby bank, visit Littlevillagehq.org/uk-baby-banks.

Ashley, 36, says she found it bittersweet handing over the pink bath support to a local charity worker knowing that it was going to a family in desperate need.

In an exclusive chat, Ashley, who was accompanied by her adorable four month old daughter Ada, says, “I’ve found today incredibly emotional.

"On one hand, you look at the work these volunteers do, and how amazing it is that this bank is here, but then on the other hand it’s heartbreaking that anyone even needs to come here.

“The cost of living crisis doesn’t seem like it will be going away any time soon, and there are so many charities and hospitals who rely on this bank – it’s been eye opening for me.”

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TV presenters Christine Lampard, Charlotte Hawkins and Kate Lawler, singers Alexandra Burke, Peter Andre and Kimberley Wyatt, actresses Louisa Lytton and Jorgie Porter,and Dame Arlene Phillips, have already pledged their support.

What are baby banks?

– Baby banks provide essential items for babies and young children whose parents are living in poverty – including nappies, wipes, clothing, bedding, Moses baskets, cots, blankets, toys and books.
– There are over 200 baby banks in the UK, and they run out of shops, community centres, warehouse units and even people’s living rooms and garages.
– Last year 4.2 million children in the UK were living in poverty and 800,000 children lived in a household that used a food or baby bank.

After helping volunteer Yvonne carefully and lovingly curate a moses basket full of supplies for a new mum and her baby, Ashley chatted to midwives and local charity workers about the importance and need for the bank in their community.

Ashley says, “The volunteers here are amazing and there’s so much attention to detail, like making sure outfits and colours match in each basket.

“Sadly so many people are relying on these banks. Today has really put things into perspective – you feel guilty for finding motherhood is a struggle because this is a real struggle. We need to do more as a society to help support new mums.”

While Ashley was busy folding clothes, Ada was being cuddled by one of the Baby Basics volunteers, Sue.

“It’s very sad to think that I'm here with my little girl and there are little girls in this country who are dependent on these banks,” Ashley adds.

“Ada’s so fortunate, more fortunate than I ever was and she doesn’t have to want for anything.

"I’m from a working class background in the north east of England. My mum was a hairdresser and my dad was a fireman.

"We weren’t by any means wealthy, but my parents lived on a budget month to month.

"When I look at people who depend on banks, we were really fortunate.”

Ashley has vowed to donate more items to her local bank in the future and is calling on readers to also help where they can.

She says, “We’re so quick to judge people in need, like it’s supposed to be their fault they are in the situation they are in, but I think we should start judging countries by how we treat our most vulnerable people.

How YOU can support Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign

More on the Baby Banks campaign

I felt alone as a mum but many women have it much worse – baby banks are vital

Full list of UK baby banks – support our Baby, Bank On Us campaign

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What are baby banks?

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