A WORKING mum has told how her local baby bank was a “lifesaver” when her family hit a financial rough patch.
Amanda Duddridge, 37, a teaching assistant from Pontypridd, felt like a “failure” after the cost-of-living crisis left her unable to afford basic essentials for her daughter.
“My boyfriend works full-time and I work part-time, but it doesn’t make us immune to the price hikes,” she says. “I’m sharing my story to show other hard-working mums they’re not alone.”
Amanda is mum to Esmee, nine, and three-year-old Elvie, with partner Grafton, 38, a customer services adviser.
When Esmee was born in August 2013, Amanda took pride in buying her new clothes, toys and accessories. “I was working full-time and, like many new mums-to-be, only wanted the best,” she says.
But when pregnant with her second child in 2018, Amanda’s circumstances changed.
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“I was working part-time because Esmee was just about to start school. I was only bringing home £900 a month before my maternity leave started,” she says. “After the birth, I moved onto statutory maternity pay.”
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.
Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks. Recipients get 90% of their average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks. Then £172.48 or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.
“My partner was paying as many bills as he could. My pay was supposed to cover groceries, school kit for Esmee and baby expenses. It simply didn’t,” she says. “I was heartbroken and constantly crying. I didn’t know how to make ends meet.”
A friend convinced Amanda to visit her local baby bank.
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“I thought baby banks were only used by homeless people or those on Universal Credit,” she says. “My mate explained that she’d used a bank when she hit a financial rough patch and said mums of all shapes, sizes and income brackets went there.”
I thought I’d be labelled a failure, instead, when I arrived at the baby bank, I was welcomed with open arms
Amanda feared she’d face stigma for using it, saying: “I thought I’d be labelled a failure, instead, when I arrived at the baby bank, I was welcomed with open arms.”
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Amanda says her local baby bank, Cwtch Baby Bank in South Wales, was in a small warehouse with different sections for toys, clothes, baby foods, baby furniture and even clothes for mums and older kids.
“Looking around me at the other mums, many who were in a similar position to me, was a huge eye opener,” she says.
“I got some baby clothes for my daughter, including onesies, vests, socks and baby hats. It saved me £50. It was an absolute lifesaver.”
Looking around me at the other mums, many who were in a similar position to me, was a huge eye opener
She adds: “The women working there told me I was doing a great job and made me feel good about my decision to visit.”
During the last two years, Amanda says her family has been constantly looking for ways to save cash.
“Our gas bill has risen from £80 to £300 a month. I used to spend £60 a week on groceries, now the same shop costs me £100,” she says. “I don’t buy new clothes or shoes for myself. Treats are out of the question.”
An exclusive survey of 2,000 mums for Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign, found 15% have used a baby bank during the cost-of-living crisis. 23% have less than £100 disposable income left at the end of the month, and 68% say money worries have had a negative impact on their mental health.
Amanda adds: “The cost of living crisis has put many mums in a difficult situation. Baby banks have become a vital place for mums to get essential items, but also support and advice.
“Mums helping mums, and being honest about their situations, is a key way we will get through this crisis.”
Hilary Johnson, 73, who founded the Cwtch Baby Bank in 2016, told Fabulous: “We are facing a real crisis and families need our help. New mums get a Moses basket, nappies and baby clothes, plus a gift for them as well. I wrap it up so it looks like a gift to make the mums feel special.
“No one should feel worried about visiting the bank we run. Everyone’s welcome. Some people who use our bank then donate to us when they get back on their feet or return items to be used again. It’s mums and dads helping each other.”
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.
Hilary founded the bank after fostering children for 20 years. She added: “Since we started we have helped almost 4,500 local families. We are staffed entirely by volunteers and rely on donations.
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“The cost of living crisis means people are not donating as much as they have to sell items to make ends meet. But we refuse to stop trying to help mums, babies and families.
“Our bank provides essential equipment, clothing and toiletries from newborn to 24 month old babies. Families are sent to us through referrals from social care, health professionals and other relevant support agencies. All the donations received go directly to the people who need it.”
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